#[ pri's layout ]

[salemsimss]

Six Sims Makeover Challenge

So I finally got around to doing it, and thank you to those who suggested these sims! Usually I try to keep them looking a bit like how they originally did, but I wanted to give them a complete makeover and do them in my style.

[writingmeraki]

NEW THEME WHAT DO WE THINKKKKK

[screampied]

can u pleasee do jjk mens fav positions ? or have u already done that

‘ CARTWHEEL ON THE D!CK ☆ ! ’

starring ꒱ geto, gojo, shiu, hiromi, choso, sukuna, toji ?!

@WARNINGS. fem! reader, praise, dirty talk, mentions of breeding, full nelson, missionary, (rev) + cowgirl, prone bone, size kinks, overstim, tummy bulge, face riding, impact play, shotgunning, squirting, till the bed breaks 18+

TOJI ✰ DOGGYSTYLE

“down, girl.”

with the pitch of his tone— that was how easy it was for him to have you arched over, bent over his wooden desk. your pussy was still sopping from earlier, needing a moment to get over your most recent teeth-shattering orgasm. toji prefers missionary too but he mainly loves doggystyle just so he could peer a few peeks at your ass. so cute, he smears his swollen tip against your saturated entrance before groaning. sloshes of cries die out from your folds as he’s ogling at how you’re so eager to swallow him up. leisurely, his fat, throbbing tip makes its way into you and he yanks the back of your tank top. “tojiiii, ‘s not gonna fit again,” you gasp, a broad free hand of his grabs a good chunk of your ass before spanking it. you moan from the sting, the pulse it gifts between your legs couldn’t have been any more embarrassing. “so f-fuckin’ big.”

“say that everytime ‘n ya still take it like a good slut,” he growls, feeling a hot sensation burn near the tips of his ears. you’re so feverish inside, he bites his lip before shoving you further against the desk. one single thrust and your life flashes before your eyes. his cock metaphorically splits the inside of your cunt open, having your lips pry apart and you hear that sinister snicker of his from behind you. “ugh. gotta be careful with you though. with a pussy this wet, might fall in love, heh.”

toji’s speed was always simply relentless—your chest would continuously thwack against the furniture, bump after bump occurring. it’s so loud, his dick pivots and reaches so deep, it rummages through every single orifice and you repeat your whines for him again and again.

“f-fuuuck, toji,” you’d babble out, the same words spewing out your lips on a constant never-ending loop like a mantra. full balls of his occasionally tap against you. with your legs parted, you’re all sprawled open for him. toji knew the layout of your pussy— he had to. with a sharp piston of his hips, his thrusts start to become more vigorous. you could barely match let alone keep up with his pace.

with doggystyle, toji was simply animalistic,

one of his favorite things to do was to wrap his thick fingers around your throat, putting his face up close to yours. “awww, babygirl. ‘s too deep? want me to go slower for you, baby? i can go slow for the pretty girl.”

he’s teasing you—pitching his voice in that faux caring tone, he drags his tongue against your neck and you whine, whimpering out a, “f-faster, fuck me faster, ‘toj.”

“well excuse me. then shut up ‘n take this dick,” and his words punctuate through every part of his dialogue. rough emphasis on his sentences—you gasp, feeling the crown of his cock prof against your g-spot. a scratch through your brain surges and you were already stupid. “take it like it’s yours,” he gruffs, his voice lowering a bit. your gummy walls squeeze against him tightly and it makes him suck his teeth. so soft, fleshy mounds of your ass gets grabbed by the rough hands of toji. throughout each spank he gives you, it rings in your ears like wedding bells. it only encourages you to fuck back against him quicker, making haste. “yeah, fuck me back. take this dick like ya own it.”

you’re hitting back and forth against him, feeling the way toji steadily pries open your pussy with the fat, plump head of his dick. he grunts, pushing your head back down into the sheeny polished desk until it’s smushed against the plethora of scattered papers. “t- toji, right there, right there please.”

“i know the fuck where,” he snarls, feeling his thin nostrils flare— it makes him a bit vexed with how easily your cunt takes him. swallowing him up, he can’t help but stare at how well you’re taking his mean backshots from behind. a big hand of his is still yanking onto the very back fabrics of your tank top before he quite literally tears it into two. “oop. my bad,” he snickers, hearing a cute gasp come out of you. he’s still balls deep before you whine.

“toji, my shirt !”

“yeah, what about it.”

you frown, he’s still deep into churning your guts before you speak with each moan butchering the delivery of your voice. “what do you mean what about it, that was a gift!”

“girl, chillax. i’ll get ya a new one.”

he doesn’t.

GOJO ✰ PRONE BONE.

“shh, you don’t gotta talk when you’re bent over for me, angel,” he’d hush you, and he brings a thumb near your puckering hole to daub the remnants of his sticky, glutinous cum back into you, preventing it from spilling back out again.

you whine, feeling every deep thrust he presents you. he’d just gotten done with filling you up to the brim—yet he doesn’t stop, he’s hungry for more. a hand goes over your mouth, a lustrous sheet of your own slobber paints the palm of his hand in response and he hums. gojo favors prone bone because he likes the closeness of your body against his.

it’s like doggystyle but better,

with your sundress lazily pulled up, he’s got better access and your tummy continually caves in. gojo’s so lengthy, you were still surprised he’d even manage to fit. it was a tight fit but he managed, plugging up your sweetened aperture. warm breathy pants fan against your skin and you whine, his hefty base repeatedly trouncing against your cunt. he was so up close to you, his weight pressing into you so deep that you’re at a loss of words. “s—satoru,” you whimper, feeling his tip stimulate against your most tender spots. each breath you had became more shaky, you were already pumped full of ropy, viscid amounts of his cum from before. your words were a bit muffled but he could still make out your adorable mewls. “so f-full.”

“well yeah. wouldn’t want ya to be empty,” he fake frowns, giving your ass an abrupt spank.

you bite back a moan by sucking your teeth, feeling his shaft reach even deeper angles. he’s got your pussy opening over and over, you’re drooling by this point, being met with slow yet deep hits. it’s primal for a few seconds once he pulls out - only to pull back in, then out again. you start to babble, hating whenever he did that.

gojo was a menace, he wanted to make you beg for more—you feel a fervor wash over you before your maw dangles open. the moment he pulls his dick out, he stares in awe at the thick volumes of cum exuding out of your flooded entrance. “oh, look at thaaaaat,” he sings lowly, staring at the mess painted between your thighs. he’s got the smuggest grin, watching such satiny ropes dribble down your slit. “my my, she’s just so pretty! look at how full she gets too, fuckin’ sloppy.”

“f-finish fucking me, ‘toru,” you pant in heavy breaths, already missing the fullness his dick supplied.

still, you’re over here arched over like some slut. a few cold whiffs of air wafts against your skin and you moan. you hear him sneer out a, ‘awww,’ before he brings his leaky tip back toward your swollen folds. it was so messy, unkempt and shimmering with his seed. gojo grows quiet, smearing his fat reddened tip against your pussy to hear the wet sloshes it creates. “pleaseeee, finish f-fuckin’ me.”

“say pretty please,” he coos, purposely sinking just the fattened tip inside before wresting it back out. he does it over and over, imagining your cute little pout displayed on your face from frustration.

you whine out a sweet, “p-pretty please?”

“pretty please what?” he whispers, strumming a thumb against your throbbing clit. he was edging you, your whines—despite them falling onto deaf ears, you whine again. gojo simpers, trailing a hand down your sensitive spine. “c���monnn. i have no idea what you’re saying please for, angel. you could be saying ‘pretty please can i finish?’ or ‘pretty please can i—”

“pretty please finish f-fucking m-” you grumble, although it sounds more like a desperate moan. even your words backfired on you, he found it so cute how you tried to maintain a rough exterior with your voice but end up failing miserably. you wanted him to finish so bad that you start to swiftly grind against him with your ass still raised up. he loves hearing you like that, so whiny and needy for more—yet once you were about to whine out another needy plea, you hear a sudden snap.

instantaneously, your initial reaction was to flinch and as you peek up—you spot the the wooden headboard snapping in half, the box spring shortly following to collapse. gojo’s still buried balls deep and he doesn’t even realize. only then does he start drilling his fat cock into you at a much quicker pace and you gasp, bawling the sheets into your hand. “s-satoru, fuck fuuuck.”

“oh damn the bed broke,” he sighs, barely acknowledging your moans—you’re so close to your release, feeling the sharp stabbing twist of his hips and he makes you fuck right back into him again and again. with a hand sneaking its way to tug at your hair, he leans up close to your ear before purring low. “hm. that sucks,” and as his hefty cock jackhammers into your loose cunt for the nth time today, he cheeses. “but uh, you’ll buy me- i mean us a new one right? riiiight?”

GETO ✰ REVERSE COWGIRL.

he loves whenever you ride him in reverse—your ass just throwing back against him, it drives him crazy.

with strong, ripped arms wrapped around your waist, a breathy pant leaves his lips and he‘s panting, his mind's racing and racing as he’s awaiting for your finish to peacefully come.

geto groans, you’re taking in every inch of his fat cock, you grow dumb quickly and your brain starts to spiral within seconds. “f-fuck, more. throw that ass back against me harder, wanna feel you.”

geto’s smooth words couldn’t have been any more seductive against your ear. big hands of his drag towards your tummy, his touch sending you shivers constantly before you moan. you’re jerking back against him with your mouth pried open, dilated irises glancing at your pathetic reflection of the mirror that stood in front of you both. “s-suguuu,” you moan, leaning back until your back presses against his bare chest. his warmth makes the butterflies in your tummy whir around at such a speed,

everything about your body was just enticing.

the way you just grip around him drove him wild. steadily holding his dick hostage with your saturated, gummy walls — it drives geto to the first street of erotic insanity. he’s haphazardly buried balls deep, the jaggy smacks that go up and down all due to your sweet hips makes him go mad. lengthy musses of black strands gets caught in his face and he gnaws on his bottom lip. a mucilaginous white ring that coats around his full base sticks against your skin the more your movements rises its tempo.

he’s panting right with you, hot puffy breaths of air leaving each lips, he wraps a hand around your throat before tenderly skimming his thumb down your passageway. making you almost twist your head to stare at him, he whispers, “easy. don’t cum on me yet, gorgeous. can ya wait jus’ a little to be messy for me?”

you frown a bit, pretty spit-glossed lips pursing together into a sweet pout before you whine once he reaches a pivotal certain spot. sage-colored boxers of his was lazily pulled down near his perfectly sculpted pelvic bone—even that was unintentionally sexy, all for a good fuck.

“but— but i can’ttt,” you whimper, feeling the familiar juddering sensation mash all into you.

“wait for me,” he whispers, a hand rubbing against your tummy. you pause your stuttering hips, leaning back into his touch. geto attacks the entirety of your neck with sugared kisses. he’s so tender, you gasp once he feels against the outline of his bulge. “mhm. you feel me here, don’t you pretty? ‘m so deep in you, fuck.”

your pussy’s voluntarily tightening before easing up and you let off soft mewl. “suguru, don’t stop,” and your plea was so sweet. he holds your hips firmly in place before pecking a honeyed kiss near your nape. with how lewd the angle was, you made sure your knees were planted forward as you slouched all the way back. he stuffed your walls so full despite how you brought your eager hips to a saddened halt. his girth wears you thin, you moan once he then brings two hands to squeeze against your tits. so handsy, a finger of his swipes against your perked nipple and you whine. “wanna finish riding you, sugu please.”

“my love, you’re going to. don’t be such a baby,” and that’s only once he turns you around—you inhale a single breath, meeting his pretty face and he pulls you into a deep kiss. geto’s kisses always tasted to candied, so honeyed with nothing but love and affection.

“oh, but i love you,” he says between kisses, leaving your face with multiple targets. he watches your expression turn shy, even leaning in to kiss the soft bridge of your nose. “mwah,” he concludes in a weary breath, holding onto your hips again. you hover over his tip and he grunts, knowing you wanted to ride him again. “always know how to- make me fall more ‘n more in love with you. messy girl,” and a dimple pokes against his cheek once he lies back. “my good messy girl.”

SHIU ✰ COWGIRL.

“ah ah, let me finish my cigarette first,” shiu would hum in a soft low tone, watching you hover over his exposed tip.

he was shirtless—dark cerulean blue boxers pulled all the way down by you and a lit cig sticks out from the left part of his mouth. he shoots you a sly smile, watching the pout on your lips grow as you didn’t wanna wait for him. you needed him carnally, he flashes you a similar coy grin before wrapping an arm around you. “fine. you never listen. i spoil ya too bad, sweets.”

“shiu, want more,” you’d whisper, and he groans once he feels you align himself against your needy hole. you felt the head of his cock scrape against your entrance—a few spurts of pre-cum coat against your folds so slickly. a hitched breath gets caught in his throat before he leans back, manspread. “wanna smoke with you.”

“hm,” he hums in a more form of a question. he’s got quite the length to him. he grunts, feeling the squelches your cunt makes in retaliation. the entire scenery of it all was so crude, he’s amused. with that cute expression of yours, he wants to buy you anything in the world. shiu rubs a hand down your back, easing you to take him fully before you moan at the stretch. “you wanna smoke too, darlin’? ‘s that what y’er tellin’ me?”

“y-yes,” you whimper in a cute plea, rocking your hips once he’s all the way in. he fit perfectly—nice and snug like a key fits a lock.

shiu had such dangerous girth to him too, your mouth desperately opens as you feel every inch. you even feel a slight upward curve he had, something as small as that made you throb—even the vein that runs down the center of his dick, you felt the twitch inside of you. he raises a brow, hazy eyes focusing on your every move. your moves were always so slow it was simply hypnotic. leaning up close, you press a wet kiss near the corner of his mouth. “kiss me.”

“now you’re just gettin’ greedy, baby,” he purrs, inhaling a single puff of hot smoke again. you watch with dilated hearty eyed pupils, and he cups your chin. “very well, open that mouth f’me.”

glossy lips of yours part, he pulls you in for a sultry wet kiss but before he does that, he blows the smoke that was in his mouth right into yours. you whine, bottom lip quivering as it pours right in so easily. the taste was smoky, despite it being literal air, you could still taste it.

shiu’s got half-lidded eyes staring at you, a smirk curling on his lips before he finally gives you that kiss you direly craved. it was deep, you’re still slowly hurtling your hips before he brings two hands to fondle with your neglected breasts. you mewl into his mouth, tasting the lingering flavor of smoke and a dash of mint. his tongue curls against yours, flicking his cigarette away onto the ash tray before pulling you closer. he tastes so intoxicating, a hand squeezes your ass firmly before he groans—you being jittery against his hips has his head spinning.

“s-shit,” shiu phews, globules of sweat racing down the sides of his face. with an almost flustered, out of breath look, he speaks in a soft tone. “you .. you want more, don’t ya sweets? guess y’er not finished with me after all, huh?”

“lie back, shiu,” you breathe in short breaths, softly pressing the clammy palms of your hands onto his bare chest. bristles of curled chest hair prick against your skin before he leans further back, slyly smiling at your sudden dominance. he watches as you pick up his thin cig, sticking it between your own teeth as your hips roll against him in mirroring unison.

“yes ma’am,” he smiles, a hand gripping onto your ass before giving it another spank. “do whatever ya want to me, sweets. ‘m all yours.”

SUKUNA ✰ FULL NELSON.

with full nelson—more than anything, sukuna likes to leave his favorite girl feeling stretched.

so stretched to where you can feel him reach the very deep pits of your cunt. he leaves you with ropes of his cum oozing out of you, he can’t help it — especially with a size he has. a thick shaft with staggering inches, every time he pumps another load into you, you’re drooling for more.

“oh, you’re so weak today,” he huffs out in a single breath, watching your lifeless body just dangle against his lap.

your legs were held above your head and within minutes, pretty eyes of yours were on the verge of rolling way back toward depths of your skull to see only splotches of pure black. you’re a whiny mess, barely able to synchronize with his rigorous pace. his front forearms has your legs in place, another is strumming the calloused tips of his fingers against your jittery hips. he’s so deep that you can feel the bulge of his dick extend through your tummy. a hand of his grabs your chin, pulling down on your bottom lip. “my, i’ve got such a such a sloppy girl,” he points out, brushing a thumb against your lips that was glistening with sweet spit. “with an even sloppier pussy.” and a hand of his reaches down to spank against your folds. you whine, feeling your entire body heat up from something as simple from his notorious touch.

“su— sukunaaaa,” you’d whine, basically being treated like a rag doll. a perfect way to capture your physical essence. just being thrown around, he punctures everywhere inside of your goopy walls, making his cock get known between your heat. your moans only grow louder until he shoves two fingers into your mouth. fluttering lashes lower before you happily suck on his fingers, swirling your tongue against his digits and he cackles. “mphmmm.”

“good girl, suck on them. use that little mouth for somethin’ more important,” and with each bounce of your hips, your brows furrow in pleasure. a jumbled of nerves that rest inside your stomach continues to build up—you know that particular feeling approaching and it was pure bliss. a brief twinge of a sting resides near your entrance as he hits against a spot that leaves your eyes widening. he found your secluded g-spot. a hand of yours squeezes onto the curses’s thigh and he hums in amusement. “oh, i found that little spot didn’t i, pretty?” and his pace quickens ever so slightly, hefty dick slamming into you time and time again. “this— pathetic spot . . riiiiight fuckin’ here?”

his breath was hot, all up against the soft lobe of your ear. with his deep voice alone, you’d cream all over his cock without any sorts of shame. jocularly, sukuna seeps his fangs into your neck, a low guffaw following from the back of his throat. you sucked on his fingers until you gag as response. you then pout as he pulls them out, stringy webs of saliva following his two digits.

“i-i’m gonna cu—” and your words get interrupted by the goading prod of his cock thrashing against that same spot. your mouth grows ajar and a sweet raw moan exits from your lips. you’re so at disbelief that you end up gushing all on his lap yet he doesn’t even notice you squirted until you look down.

“hmph,” sukuna scoffs, one of his arms reaching down between your legs. he smears his stubby thumb against your entrance, feeling how doused it was with your slick arousal. taking you out of the flexing minacious position, he turns you to face him now. prodding a thumb between your now swollen folds, he delves a finger inside before pulling it out, only to pop the same finger into his mouth. you watch, tremulous breaths leaving your mouth and he smugly smiles, taking pride in your embarrassed state.

“how sweet,” and as he laps up the mess on his fingers on his own tongue, he grabs your chin again, pulling you into a kiss. you whine, returning the gesture almost immediately. you’re needy still, grinding against the king’s lap—his dick that was laid against him flat, so thick and even more full. he snickers between the kisses, holding you close and you taste yourself on his mouth. after a while, he departs away before grumbling. “off. you made a mess on me, woman,” and he crosses his arms, a pout on his lips. “don’t just sit there. clean it off with your tongue, i’ll wait.”

HIGURUMA ✰ FACE RIDING

“a-ah,” he lets off a soft sigh, bringing a few kisses towards your inner thighs. you bring up you want to ride his nose and after that moment, it easily becomes his favorite position. he’s gentle, making sure to attack near the very sweet crevices with his lips. with an amused, jocular raise of a brow, he runs a thumb down your sopping wet slit. “aw, you wanna ride it, dontcha? you’ve been starin’ at my nose all day, sugar.”

with a twitch of your lips, you shift your weight that’s barely hovering over his mouth. “yes,” and hiromi’s got nothing more than tender smile— he knew what you wanted, ride his face but most importantly, ride his nose. “i just— i don’t wanna suffocate you with my thighs though, ‘romi. want you to be able to breathe.”

he ambushes your folds with a multitude of kisses before a sly grin forms against his pink sheeny lips. “you won’t do such a thing,” he reassures you, and you whine once he creates a single licking stripe near your entrance. “there there, just lay it on me, sweetheart,” and his voice couldn’t have been any more soothing— it’s alluring, each syllable that drags out of his mouth has you pulsing continuously. dark irises stare into you before he blows softly against your cunt. “give it to me, sit on my face ‘n enjoy the ride. i got ya.”

higuruma’s all laid back comfortably against the bed—he’s ready to feast, the moment you finally sink your quavering weight down onto him, his tongue makes a quick greeting. you bite your lip, the cold texture residing on his tongue makes you squirm a bit. “f-fuuuck, hiromi,” you whine, peering your eyes down and his hooded lids were already growing low and heavy. two rough hands of his grasp tightly against your ass, occasionally brushing his thumbs against your warm skin. his movements were slow but precise—he makes sure to allow his tongue to rummage all throughout your pussy. just a single taste and he’s already craving for more.

you’re addictive,

as you’re still trying to flutter your hips over his mouth but he only pulls you further down. you moan, feeling the slickness of your cunt rub against his nose. it slides against the bumpy bridge of it and he groans. with rough pants, he breaks away every few seconds to give you a praise or two, “thaaaat’s it, ride it jus’ like that, sugar.”

he had to multitask from breathing through his mouth and nose—you had him going feral, his tongue knew no bounds. it swirls all through your entrance before he starts to suck against the pulsating nub of your clit. that particular spot does something to your brain. higuruma studies your moments—every jolt your thighs does he watches, how sensitive, how needy you were. all from a few licks, the feeling of his nose prodding against your cunt was a soft gnarled texture. it tickles a bit at first before you’re left with moaning repeatedly. “hngh, so good, ‘romi. don’t stop p-please.”

he shoots you a sneer, a thumb of his snaking towards your clit to play with it also. the nerves you felt in every part of your clit makes you stupid. perspiring hands crawl into his hair, getting a good grip of his strands being lightly tugging on it. “m-mphm,” he likes that. whenever you’d give his hair just the slightest pull, it drives him crazy. you resume to grind your hips into his mouth, slowly. your rhythm despite how it wasn’t as fast as he initially wanted has him hard. higuruma feels the strain in his black work slacks the more your sweet whimpers reverberate across the entire room. the walls were quite thinx yet he could care less. if anything, the only thing that mattered between was your preciously candied pussy. his favorite treat—a dish he’d continue to ask for seconds.

strands of his hair tangle within your fingers, the vigorous buckling of your hips barely have hi time to process. he’s so sloppy, the slight curve of his tongue explores all inside the entrance of your saturated entrance and a whine dies out your throat. “m-mh, more ‘romi. your tongue’s so good,” and your voice remains to shake—you were sensitive, not before long the entire middle part of his face was covered with a sheet of your arousal. so soaked—you couldn’t help but drench him a bit, his stubble becomes glistening in your heat and he moans. you taste sweet, with low eyes he makes eye contact with you for a moment and the butterflies that reside inside your tummy makes you pulse. he feels the pulse in his mouth, stimulating every part with the tip of his tongue. he lays it flat, allowing it to ferret everywhere before he reaches there.

that sweetened g-spot—the moment his tongue shows itself towards your most precious slick orifice, he leaves it a few sweet kisses. mwah after mwah, long black lashes close as he shows your spot the utmost signs of affection. after all, he wanted to make sure he tasted all of you.

CHOSO ✰ MISSIONARY.

“don’t hide, please,” choso whispers, rutting between you. two big hands of his strokes your cheek, making sure you return his beatific gaze. dark gentle pools of eyes intake your alluring beauty before he moans into your neck. “you’re so w-warm. i love you, love makin’ you feel good.”

“i love you too,” you breathe, moaning quite a bit yourself. your voice was sweet, laced with some kind of addictive sound that makes his ears twitch whenever you speak. choso loves missionary because of how intimate it is. skin to skin, body to body—he loves the hot warmth your own body provides him every time. he’s way more vocal than you, he can’t help but suck against your skin as he’s stuffing you full of guiltless inches. “fuck,” you’d wheeze, rubbing the back of your ankle down his back. you feel him shiver at that, his face turns flustered before he reaches to hold your hand. in bed, choso was always a needy baby. he desperately wanted your touch, without it he felt like he’d die. perhaps he was a bit of a drama queen whenever it came to affection, but he was your drama queen. “choso, don’t stop your moans, baby.”

he grows quiet once you notice. the main reason he went to suck against your tender neck was to stop his whimpering whines.

he was always so embarrassed about them—so insecure.

he was forever so sensitive, the way you clamp down on him makes his breath nearly get caught in his throat. “but-” and you shyly smile, squeezing his hand tighter as his hips quicken. he’s about to finish early—you were quite familiar with his timid body language. it always gave him away. you pull him in for a quick chaste kiss, crimson lips of his mashing against yours and he pouts. once you pull away, he wants more. choso leans for a kiss and you kiss back, kiss after kiss. he feels the tip of his cock reach all sorts of mew depths within your walls. he’s clouded, feeling a rushing wave of crazed nirvana over take him sweetly. “i’m too noisy.”

“i like when you’re noisy,” you reassure him, and you visibly watch him melt into your hands. he’s so cute—you’ve got his heart throbbing, you’re so tender and patient with him that he’s falling more and more in love. choso’s tempo slows down a bit and he feels a concise spasm in the undersides of his thighs. he moans at your tenderized compliment, burying his face into the crook of your neck.

he’s still holding onto your hand, stubby fingertips sliding against yours. his touch—a perfect way to describe it was that it was hot, parching. you made him feel hot in every way and he never wanted the feeling to stop. “you can be a little louder, ‘cho. ‘s just you ‘n me.”

“you s-sure?” he whines, mending your cunt with a new shape from his jagged thrusts. he was so big, you had to constantly gnaw on your lip to conceal your own indecent noises. with a low voice, he still sounds as sweet as a kitten—his darkened brows twitch, awaiting for your answer whilst he prepares to gift your pussy with another precious gift of cum.

you have a soft smile. “i’m sure, baby,” and with a smeck, you kiss the pale temple of his cheek. choso’s heart was racing miles a minute. the moment he ends up finishing, he doesn’t hide his moans.

this time, he ends up giving you a deep kiss while his orgasm mercilessly pulls out of him. it leaves him breathless, tumefy lips of his gets swollen from each contact your own lips makes with his. he was always weak for your kisses, he’d go crazy without one.

“good boy,” you whisper, feeling his seed trickle all inside of you. hot sticky ropes, your legs snake around his slim waist, forevermore pulling him in. “let’s stay like this forever.”

“we- we will,” he mewls out, a gasp of exhaustion snatching out of him, he’s just on top of you, resting his head against your chest — still inside of you, plugging you in fully. choso’s voice was a bit raspy, strands of his hair tickle against your skin before he kisses your breasts. “i’ll never leave you. we’ll be together f-forever, princess.”

[yeyinde]

Father John Price has been acting strange lately.

It started as little things most wouldn't notice—an odd slur to his words, far rougher than what you were used to hearing. A sway to his gait when he walked as if he was unfamiliar with the layout to the monastery. Gaps in his memory when pried for pieces of information that he should have known better than anyone else within the walls of the old building. Little slips. Missteps.

Nothing to worry about.

Not at first, anyway.

Not until it bleeds out, grows. Turns into touches. A searing, angry gaze drilling into your head whenever you look away from him. Ire lashing over each word he growls out in the alcoves he corners you inside, the guise of polite conversation falling to pieces when he slips his foot between yours, prying your thighs apart to stand between them. Towering over you as he rasps out commands for you to tell him about how you spent the evening prior on your knees—

Praying, you whisper feverishly, feeling the deep indents of the rosary beads imbedded into your fingers.

But that never seems to matter much to him. Not when the prayer is always an afterthought, and he makes noises like a wounded animal when you breathe out how long you stayed like that, and how—unable to resist temptation after gripping the rosary for long—you had to slide your cold fingers under your robes, numb, shaking hands seeking the blistering heat between your thighs.

("not close enough to tempt the devil," you mutter, shamefaced, heart lurching when the noise he makes in the back of the throat sounds like a misfiring gun. "But—" he drops his head to the wall, heaving. Eyes burning into your temple as you stare at the crooked tilt of his collar, unable to meet his gaze. Scared of what you might find. "But close enough that I had to—to pray again—")

And as the distant, unflappable mask of a seemingly incorruptible man begins to crack, breaking apart to unveil a yawning chasm, you find yourself trapped in confessional box with him after dark, quickly realising that the man you devoted your life to has fallen into that crater.

And something else has taken his place.

[hannie-dul-set]

HOME FOR THE BITCHLESS [1].

SYNOPSIS. wherein your friend offers a room for you to crash in while your dorm is being renovated, but fails to mention that your new housemates don’t know how to talk to women (oh, and they also have an ongoing bet about you, too).

PAIRINGS. choi soobin, choi beomgyu, lee heeseung, park jongseong, sim jaeyun, park sunghoon x female! reader. GENRE. housemates! au, rom-com, sitcom, reverse harem time baby. WARNINGS. swearing, a house fire, mentions of sex, like the chapter title says there is too much underwear in this, an awful amount of embarrassing men WORD COUNT. 2.2k.

TAGLIST. @cerealdreamwriter @tyongff-ff @dinonuguaegi

NOTE. i have nothing to say except i hope you enjoy this shitshow as much as i enjoyed writing it. please check the link in the masterlist if you're curious about the layout of the house. feedback much appreciated i love u.

MASTERLIST | NEXT >

CHAPTER 1 — this is too much underwear for a first meeting.

YOU WISH YOU CAN TAKE BACK ALL YOUR COMPLAINTS ABOUT DORM LIFE. Sure, the disgusting, communal bathrooms scrape a year off of your lifespan every time you have to take a piss, and the abhorrently thin walls make you want to rip your ears out every time your neighbors have mind blowing sex, but hey— all of that is better than not having a roof above your head. Even if that roof is two years behind maintenance. 

But it’s all too late. You should’ve appreciated having a bed to sleep in before life pried it out from you in the form of a swirling inferno.

When the semester came to a close, your dormmates thought it would be a fantastic idea to throw an end-of-year party. The problem is, that party ended up in flames. Literally. The last person you saw entering the kitchen was Choi Yeonjun until something exploded and before you know it, there’s a stampede, and you’re choking on black fumes, and there’s suddenly a lightshow happening right before your very eyes with the dorm building you’ve been living in for the past year serving as the sparkler.

Holy shit, your dorm is burning down.

It’s a good thing that the fire was stopped before it could reach your room. You don’t know what you’d do if all your notes and textbooks burnt down along with half of the building into debris. Even prior to the fire, a lot of the facilities were janky and needed to be renovated, so you had to pack your bags and find somewhere else to stay for the next two months while the place went through repairs.

“Great,” you huff, filling your two carriers with the bare minimum you have collected in your unit. “This is just fucking great.” 

However, just when you’re falling into the brink of homelessness, a friend from your book club graciously offers you a room in his house as a saving grace from your misfortune.

“It’s a small bedroom compared to the rest, but you only have to share a bathroom with one other person! There’s also a laundry room and a living area on the same floor. It’s a big place, so it doesn’t feel stuffy at all even with six, seven people.”

You have no reason to decline Jake’s offer, especially when it’ll be just a temporary arrangement anyway. “Are you sure? You said you have housemates, right? Are they fine with living with another person on such short notice?”

“Yeah, they said it’s cool,” he assures, helping you load your luggage into the taxi. “I’ve been wanting to fill up the last bedroom anyway. The house is just too big even with our current living setup. The more the merrier.”

You’ve always known that Jake Shim was fucking rich. Not because he bragged or flaunted his wealth or anything— but because he’d drop the most privileged, tone-deaf shit at the most inappropriate times and no one can get pissed because he looks oh so innocent while saying them. You had once complained about stuffing yourself with too much meat during a club dinner and that one more bite will have you nauseous. He replied with, “oh yeah, I once ate wagyu steak for a good week in Japan and I got sick of it, too!” and you physically felt your economic status erode at that very moment.

He and you will never be the same. And that fact is made suffocatingly evident right now, as the vehicle slowly pulls into a fancy neighborhood and stops right before the fence of an unreasonably gigantic yard with an unreasonably gigantic house. You do feel a little poor when he shows off the pool and the two garages, but at the same time, beggars can’t be choosers.

Also, it’s a really nice fucking house.

It’s three stories tall, with a covered deck and a substantial amount of outdoor lounging areas. Floor to ceiling windows give you a glimpse of the modern interior of the foyer and spacious living room. You’re a little afraid of getting used to such luxury that you might never want to come back to your old, dingy dorm room— but with every blessing comes a curse.

Jake did mention that you will be living with six other people including him. What he did not mention is that those ‘other people’ would all be men.

Imagine your shock when you’re greeted by a whole ass man in nothing but neon green boxers and shades the moment you slip through the sliding doors of testosterone hell.

Very. You’re very shocked. 

“Hey, man,” Jake greets the almost naked individual who is also holding a bowl of cereal in the middle of the afternoon, presumably having just walked out of the kitchen. “What’s with the glasses?” That’s not the biggest issue here. You can see the outline of his fucking penis.

“Oh,” he reacts. “It was just so bright when I got out of the room.”

Jake nods. “That makes sense.” No it does not.

“I think it just got even brighter.”

You can’t tell, but you assume he’s squinting at you underneath his shades. You believe you might also need a pair because there’s definitely a contender in being the brightest thing in the room, so you try your best to not be distracted by the neon of his undies as Jake introduces you to him. “And this is Park Jongseong— or Jay, as he prefers to be called.”

“Call me whatever you like,” Jay smiles at you and reaches out his non-cereal hand for a handshake. He seems chill enough. Maybe he’s just a very laid back person who doesn’t care about general appearances. You can work with that.

“Nice to meet you.” You shake on it. “Aren’t you cold, by the way?”

When he retrieves his hand, he combs his fingers through his hair, ruffling the strands. “My friends often say that I am pretty cool.”

“No, I mean cold,” you clarify. “That does look like a statement, but I’m worried you might get sick.”

You’re starting to get an inkling that you have misjudged Jay. It takes him a few seconds to understand what you were referring to, until a breeze passes by from the open entrance and suddenly, he looks down. “Oh,” he flatly says. “Of fuck.” And the innocent bowls cereal crashes and spills into the ground as Jay disappears into the hallway to your right.

You and Jake stare at the milk minutely seeping into the wooden floor. “I was gonna ask him to help you with your luggage but—” Where Jay disappears, a new person emerges (fully clothed this time, thankfully). “Oh! Hyung, come help.”

He has his neck turned back as he walks up to the both of you. You can hear the sound of footsteps scrambling from where the newcomer is looking at. “What happened to Jay?”

“I don’t know, but let me introduce you to our new housemate!”

“Hi there.” You give him a smile.

Jake tells you his name is Choi Beomgyu, and Choi Beomgyu doesn’t exactly look like he’s keen on accepting your handshake. Instead, all he does is stare you down with his arms crossed, eyes scaling your entire height like he’s doing a motherfucking evaluation. You’re trying your damn best to maintain a pleasant expression. You almost break when he quits his rude staring and turns over to Jake. “So, you need me to help carry her things?” The bastard isn’t even talking directly to you. Your pride can’t take this hit.

“No, it’s alright. I can take care of these myself. Thanks!” Jake flinches when you snatch your second carrier from his hands. “Third floor, right?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Got it.” 

Yes, you might have shoved past Beomgyu on purpose, but that’s not the point. You leave the two behind to take care of Jay’s fallen cereal as you struggle to lug your luggage up the staircase. You manage to bring them all the way to the second floor landing before your arms give in and you let the two cases settle on the floor with a huff. When you pause to take a breather, you catch a familiar face walking down the stairs from above. You recognize him from Jake’s instagram stories. You’re sure his name is Lee Heeseung. “Oh! Let me help!” he quickly exclaims after noticing the situation, hurrying down the steps. “You’re the new addition to our residence, right?”

“Yes, I am, and it’s totally fine! You don’t have to—”

Big mistake. You should’ve just let him help, but you’re a little prideful so you reach out for the carrier he took, and when your fingers brush against the back of his hand, the man suddenly drops the fucking case and retracts his entire arm. You stare, wide-eyed, as Heeseung stumbles back to the ground next to your carrier that happened to crack open in the fray and is now spilling out all your clothes like guts and blood. Behind Heeseung, the door creaks open. “Is everything oka— oh my god, is that a b-bra—”

Well. It is, in fact, a bra, and its color seems to match the flushed face of the poor, unsuspecting individual that just opened the door out of concern for his friend. You make eye contact with him once before he retreats into his room with a loud slam! Heeseung is still on the floor and he’s now profusely apologetic.

“Shit, I’m so sorry, this is all my fault, please let me help—” The issue dawns on him belatedly, right when it’s already too late and he has your undergarment in his hands in the midst of trying to undo his mistake. “I don’t think I should help.”

“Good call.” You kneel down, politely prying your blood red bra from Heeseung as you proceed to gather the rest of your clothes back into the carrier.

“I should cut my hands off.”

Oh no. “Hey, it was an accident. It’s fine—” When you try to reach a hand out to give him a completely innocent, completely harmless pat on the shoulder for assurance, he flinches back again. Now your arm is awkwardly hanging mid-air and you’re both looking at each other with shared looks of alarm. The exchange (or lack thereof) reminds you of a forgotten memory— a memory from your childhood. Snacktime all throughout elementary school, to be specific, when all the boys would fucking run away from you and your girl friends for having cooties.

This moment is oddly reminiscent of that and you don’t want to acknowledge it.

“What happened? I heard a crash, is everything alright?”

By the time Jake arrives, you have already managed to clear up the crime scene. With a grunt, you get back up and prepare yourself for another round of heavy lugging. “Can you tell me where my room is? I think you should stay here and make sure your friend is okay.”

“It’s...the first door through the hallway, next to Sunghoon’s. Hyung, are you good?”

You have no idea who the fuck Sunghoon is, but you nod in acknowledgement anyway. “Who’s the person living in that room?” 

“Soobin hyung,” Jake answers, helping a dazed Heeseung back to his feet. “Why?”

“You should go check on him, too.”

With that, you leave another mess in your wake as you climb up the flight of stairs to the third floor. You can’t wait to rest. You really want to lie down. But when you walk past the hallway, entering into the floor’s unreasonably cozy living area, you’re met with a fucking fork in the road.

There’s one door right across the hallway, but when you open it, it’s not a bedroom, but a laundry room. So you make a sharp right to the archway opening up to three doors on each of the walls. Jake should have been more specific with what he meant by the first door. You don’t want to take a risk and walk into something you’d fucking regret.

Fortunately, someone emerges from the door on your right and reveals what looks to be a bathroom. You assume he’s Sunghoon, and Sunghoon nearly doubles over when he turns around and meets eyes with you. His expression stiffens, and you’re both just standing there for a good moment and looking at each other without saying anything.

You press your lips into a smile. Holy shit, he’s intimidating. Why the fuck isn’t he saying anyting?

“Hi. I’m—”

“S—shit—”

Suddenly, he’s gone. He’s disappeared into the room in the center after struggling to open the door for a bit. You’re left dumbfounded, but at least now you know where your room is.

You slot the key Jake gave you and twist open the doorknob. The empty room greets you with a body slam of fatigue, and before you know it, you’re sinking face down into the bed and you have no energy left in your fingertips. Admittedly, you have questioned yourself multiple times upon first entering the house whether you made the right decision, whether it’d be better to find an apartment, or maybe you should just crash at your parent’s place for the time being.

But this bed is more comfy than any hotel suite you’ve ever been to, and your bank account isn’t suffering from an enormous dent. Six disastrous men is nothing when you’re able to call a place your home. You can already envision where you’ll be placing your new bookshelf. They’d have to pry your new house key from your cold, dead hands if they want you out of here.

HOME FOR THE BITCHLESS. © hannie-dul-set, 2023.

[staytinyville]

OUTLAW (40)

ATEEZ poly!ot8 x Reader

Cowboy AU / Wild West

Series Masterlist

Warning: none

A/N BETA READ (@mariana-mmtz). YOU GUYS! I have a permanent taglist in my main masterlist if you wish to be added to my imagines. Taglist for my fics are currently not available though. It is currently closed for this story and my Stay Alive one. However if you wish to read my imagines (I have a couple coming out soon) Please be sure you check it out!

Staytinyville Permanent Taglist

You were placed at the back of the group as the boys gathered all the needed materials to break into city hall through a window. You were trying to calm your breathing, wiping your sweaty hands along the material of your trousers.

You could hear the crickets chirping in the grass and the lanterns lit up through the thick fog that was casting over the town. It was a bit past midnight, the boys wanted to make sure all the occupants of city hall were asleep as well as most of the citizens. Fewer witnesses as they said.

“Hey, look at me.” Hongjoong spoke up, pulling your chin. “You can back out and we won't be upset.” He told you.

You turned back to the other boys, seeing Yeosang and Wooyoung ready at the window that was pried open. “It's not that.” You shook your head. “I'll get over it. Promise.” You gave him a reassuring smile, moving forward to the three boys who would help you.

“Get ready, Sweetheart!” Wooyoung grinned, grabbing your hand and leading you to the window. “Ladies first.” He told you, allowing you room to crawl in.

As you lifted yourself up, you got caught on the sill at your waist so you had to wiggle some to get over it. However, as you were wiggling around, someone’s palms were quick to grip onto your cheeks to help push you into the room. When you fell with a thud, you quickly composed yourself to see who the culprit was.

“Wooyoung!” You whisper-shouted, looking at the grinning boy who was climbing in.

“Sorry.” He laughed, stepping into the room. “I couldn't resist.”

Before you were able to get the chance to retort something back, Yeosang had made his way through, shushing both of you. With a quick nod back outside the window, he led you and Wooyoung out of the office you broke into and to the hallway.

“Which way?” Wooyoung asked.

“This way.” You explained, having known most of the layout for the building.

It wasn’t much, but it was enough for one to have trouble finding what they needed. It was only two stories, but the vault was placed directly in the middle of the first floor behind the front desk. When you made it to the large silver doors, Yeosang quickly walked up to it and moved the lock dial around for a bit before turning back.

“Wooyoung.” He called the boy.

“Going!” Wooyoung singsonged.

You watched as he placed his ear to the door, moving the dials a certain way and very slowly. As he heard clicks behind the metal, a grin began to make its way onto his face the moment the last click sounded.

“Got it.” He called, shoving the large door open.

You took in a deep breath as the sight of piles of money seemed to come into view. You slowly walked in behind the two boys, eyes on the paper. Your shoulders suddenly dropped as you thought about all of this going to the wrong kind of people.

All of this could be used to help out the orphanage or the fishermen at the docks or the farmers who supplied the city with food. But yet, here they were taking the money in an illegal manner to give to them yourselves. You knew this money belonged to the people who worked here, but the taxes were in place for a reason. Maybe they didn’t need to be so high, but it was too late now to return it all to the right people.

“Let's get this show on the road.” Wooyoung clapped his hands together, dropping multiple bags onto the floor.

You snapped out of your stupor before quickly moving to fill the bags full of bills that you had never even had the chance of seeing in person. Who knows how someone was able to get that kind of money. But you still moved along with Wooyoung and Yeosang, filling bag after bag.

In total, you got a good amount of bags as you all tried to carry four at a time back to the window.

“Watch it!” Jongho whispered-yelled at Wooyoung who poked his head out.

“Then move!” Wooyoung replied. “You see me throwing bags full of coins—obviously it's going to hurt.” He crawled out of the window as he threw the last of the bags out.

“Shut up, you two.” Yunho glared, flicking both of them on the forehead. “Let's go.” He instructed, each of the boys trying to take as many bags as they could.

“Here's the list of people who deserve the money. We'll meet back at the camp in an hour.” Hongjoong told everyone, allowing them to pass the list around

They each spoke who it was they would be giving it to so that they didn’t come across the same person. San told you he would go with you to the orphanage, followed by your family's hotel as you were going back to the camp. Hongjoong assured you it was alright for you to separate money for them. At least just enough to help them get through the winter months, just in case.

You sat behind San on his horse as he made his way towards the orphanage/church that was stationed near the hotel. You could remember always going out to play with the children as a child. Back when, things weren’t so tough in making new friends. However, as they grew up and you started to have a mouth on you, the nuns seemed to have a problem.

But you still cared for the children who were dropped off. Still came to help the nuns with some of the babies, even if they did hold some kind of harsh feelings for how you acted. But they weren’t about to reject free help.

You got off the horse the moment San came to a stop, pulling on some bags to reach the porch of the church. They had a confession box outside, so you thought it was best to place the money there. You hid it under the bench just in case, looking up as the wooden cross stared down at you.

You started to feel sick to your stomach. You were never a religious person–only going along with what your family had to say at church. In fact, this was the same church you came to every Sunday. You weren’t forced into the religion, and your parents didn’t care if you were or not. The only reason they ever made you go to church was because they didn’t want people to talk bad about you.

But that still didn’t mean you never listened in during the session. So when you finished putting the money in its safe spot, you bowed your head. Rushing back to San, the boy gave you a kind smile, helping you back onto his horse.

You did the same thing at your family's hotel, dropping off the money into the mailbox before taking off to the camp to meet up with the others.

“Alright, phase one is done.” Hongjoong told everyone once they arrived. “Now we wait for tomorrow.”

“How was it, Darling? Your first heist!” Seonghwa laughed, pulling you into a hug from behind.

The others began to crowd you, watching you with a smile as they waited for your response. “It was scary but exhilarating.” You told them. “I wish I could see the faces of the kids when they wake up.”

“We always wish that.” Hongjoong spoke up. “Let's get to bed, have a tough day starting in the morning.”

And so the next morning, you and Yeosang had been walking hand-in-hand in the town square, waiting for something that would tell you both that they had found the money. And the moment you saw all the policemen rushing towards city hall and heard people gossiping around the area, you knew it was the perfect time for others to move along.

“So it begins.” You told Yeosang.

“Let's get the others.” He told you, giving you a nod of his head.

Yeosang was quick to get the rest of the boys as they all gathered together at the edge of the town. They had split up into their groups, telling you to go with Hongjoong, Mingi, and Seonghwa just in case things got ugly at Quaid’s house.

You were placed on watch duty outside in the front of the estate. You made sure to keep a distance, just in case someone asked you why you were waiting at the mayor's house. However, from what you were able to notice, people seemed to be in a rush towards city hall. You kept glancing around, trying to seem as though you were occupied with the gossip rather than waiting for someone to show up.

Your face quickly turned into worry though as you saw Quaid’s carriage pass by. And while the mayor wasn’t going to be with him, you knew the judge was heading towards his house. Running to the back of the large house, you shouted out to Hongjoong, who was in Klein’s office.

“Captain! Quaid is going back to his home.” You told him.

He had some papers in his arms, but he quickly snapped his head to look at you. “I’ll get the others. You try to delay him.”

With a nod of your head, you took off towards one of the boy’s horses. Coming up with some kind of solution quickly on the way, you took off in the direction of the man’s carriage. He had been close to reaching his house before you pulled the horse to cross his path in a hurry, making it seem as though the horse was spooked with something.

“Hey! It’s okay! You’re okay!” You tried to calm down the horse, actually startling it from almost colliding with the horses pulling the carriage.

“What’s going on?” Quiad asked as he looked over the driver’s shoulder.

“Sorry, you honor!” You yelled over to him. “My horse was spooked by something and seemed to have gotten in the way.”

Your eyes moved to the side, watching as the captain and the boys trotted along the path, minding their own business. Seognhwa gave you a subtle nod when he passed you, causing you to do the same. Turning back to the judge, you watched as he seemed to have waved you off and went back to clenching his jaw.

When the boys began to push their horses into a run, you gave the judge one last smile before following along with them. You just hoped Wooyoung had enough time to see them pass and warn the others.

Series Masterlist

@thefrog3223 , @iarayara , @0rangemilk , @explorewithd , @detectivedoodle , @bangtanxberm , @a1i33a , @loveforred , @drunken-deitence , @0325tiny , @the-ghostest-with-the-mostest , @atinyreads , @atinytinaa , @lexiigom , @smilingtokki , @mismatchfluffysocks , @brain-empty-only-draken , @sousydive , @alex-tinyy , @h3arteyes4mingi , @onedumbho3 , @popcatx0 , @blue1amory , @mommahwa1117 , @sunnyhokyu , @cloudieclair , @puppyminnnie

[lemons4u]

𝐈 𝐌𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐓 ! - 𝐀𝐋𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐌

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒┊short smau just to make up for my long absence!

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 ┊modern au, sfw with some suggestive and mature themes, fem! reader, meeting online, somewhat rushed!!

⟣ 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 ┊kaveh claims that alhaitham is in desperate need of a partner— even though alhaitham claims not be interested in anyone at their uni ( he has a million chicks swarming around him, you should be surprised! ) and that results in him getting a stupid little dating app.

⟣ part one

⟣ part two

⟣ part three

⟣ part four

⟣ tag list ! @ichorstainedskin , @kaifae , @dainsleif-when-playable

all work belongs to pri ( @lemons4u ), please do not steal any layouts or my writing…. thank you!

[blackashbluephoenix]

I let you in. He almost said. But it wouldn't have helped, and strictly speaking, it wasn't entirely true. He'd tried his absolute hardest not let Mike in.

But it had always been an inevitable thing, something as sure as the sun coming up tomorrow. From moment one in that interview room, the moment brown eyes met blue. Mike had slipped right past his defenses, pried Harvey's arms open and tucked himself right under Harvey's very skin.

And in that moment, Mike couldn't even see it. Couldn't look past what Rachel had done and see that Harvey was standing right there, would never ever do anything like this to him, never make him feel this way, like he was anyone's second choice.

What advice could he give? None. Nothing at all. Oh sure, he could layout out some bullshit about looking at everyone and everything as temporary and therefore attatchement was always pointless. But it wasn’t true for him. Not anymore.

And he didn't want it to be true for Mike either. As much trouble as Mike's big, bleeding heart sometimes got them into, it wasn't something Harvey would trade for anything. Because he wouldn't be Mike without it. He'd be someone else entirely, even if that person still had Mike's memory and his expanse of legal knowledge and movie quotes.

Mike wasn't Mike without his heart.

So Harvey told him another version of the truth. That he didn't know anything about relationships, about love, about any of it. That he was the wrong person to ask.

That part was true, anyway. And Harvey hadn't wanted to know anything about it for a long time. Now he did, because of course he did, and the one person he wanted it with was so far out of reach that he was standing in Harvey's apartment asking him for advice on how to shut the world out the same way he assumed Harvey had.

I let you in, he almost said. But he didn't.

[nestaismommy]

“What did Nesta even do”

“She’s so useless”

Yeah I’ll show you what she did

A Court Of Thorns and Roses

My hands slackened at my sides. “You went after me,” I said. “You went after me—to Prythian.”

“I got to the wall. I couldn’t find a way through.”

I raised a shaking hand to my throat. “You trekked two days there and two days back—through the winter woods?”

She shrugged, looking at the sliver she’d pried from the table.

“I hired that mercenary from town to bring me a week after you were taken. With the money from your pelt. She was the only one who seemed like she would believe me.”

-

“What happened to Tomas Mandray?” I asked, the words strangled.

“I realized he wouldn’t have gone with me to save you from Prythian.”

A Court of Mist and Fury

I didn’t dare look at my sisters. Look at this house, that might very well be turned to rubble. I rasped, ��There are good people here.”

The golden queen sweetly parried with, “Then let the High Fae of Prythian defend them.”

Silence.

And it was Nesta who hissed from behind us, “We have servants here. With families. There are children in these lands. And you mean to leave us all in the hands of the Fae?”

The eldest one’s face softened. “It is no easy choice, girl—”

“It is the choice of cowards,” Nesta snapped.

A Court of Wings and Ruin

Chapter 18

“By the end of this war, I want them dead. The king, the queens—all of them. Promise me you’ll kill them all, and I’ll help you patch up the wall. I’ll train with her”—a jerk of her chin to Amren—“I’ll go to the Hewn City or whatever it is … I’ll do it. But only if you promise me that.”

Chapter 30

“My sister, it seemed, had found nothing in her books about repairing the wall”

So I just said, “Rhys gave me a layout of the stacks. I think there might be more on the Cauldron and wall a few levels down. You can wait here, or—”

“I’ll help you look.”

Chapter 42

“It was some distant thing,” she said. “War. Battle. It … it’s not anymore. I will help, if I can. If it means … telling them what happened.”

“You went off to battle for a court you barely know—who barely see you as friends. Amren showed me the blood ruby. And when I asked you why … you said because it was the right thing. People needed help.” Her throat bobbed. “No one is going to fight to save the humans beneath the wall. No one cares. But I do.” She toyed with a fold in her dress. “I do.”

Chapter 45

“Its queens sold us out,” Nesta said. She lifted her chin, poised as any emissary. “For the gift of immortality, the human queens will allow Hybern in to sweep away any resistance. They might very well hand over control of their armies to him.” Nesta looked to me, to Rhys. “Where do the humans on our island go? We cannot evacuate them to the continent, and with the wall intact … Many might rather risk waiting than cross over the wall anyway.”

“Armies take time to raise,” Cassian said. “You don’t have the luxury of sitting on your ass. You need to rally your soldiers now.”

Beron only sneered. “I don’t take orders from the bastards of lesser fae whores.”

“That bastard,” Nesta said with utter coolness, though her eyes began to burn, “may wind up being the only person standing in the way of Hybern’s forces and your people.”

“Beron shot to his feet, not bothering to brush off the dust, and declared to no one in particular, “This meeting is over. I hope Hybern butchers you all.”

But Nesta rose from her chair. “This meeting is not over.”

She stood tall, a pillar of steel. “You are all there is,” she said to Beron, to all of us. “You are all that there is between Hybern and the end of everything that is good and decent.” She settled her stare on Beron, unflinching and fierce. “You fought against Hybern in the last war. Why do you refuse to do so now?”

“You may hate us. I don’t care if you do. But I do care if you let innocents suffer and die. At least stand for them. Your people. For Hybern will make an example of them. Of all of us.”

“And you know this how?” Beron sneered.

“I went into the Cauldron,” Nesta said flatly. “It showed me his heart. He will bring down the wall, and butcher those on either side of it.”

She looked to Kallias and Viviane. “I am sorry for the loss of those children. The loss of one is abhorrent.” She shook her head. “But beneath the wall, I witnessed children—entire families—starve to death.” She jerked her chin at me. “Were it not for my sister … I would be among them.”

“Too long,” Nesta said. “For too long have humans beneath the wall suffered and died while you in Prythian thrived. Not during that—queen’s reign.” She recoiled, as if hating to even speak Amarantha’s name. “But long before. If you fight for anything—fight now, to protect those you forgot. Let them know they’re not forgotten. Just this once.”

Nesta remained standing. “The past is the past. What I care about is the road ahead. What I care about is making sure no children—Fae or human—are harmed. You have been entrusted with protecting this land.” She scanned the faces around her. “How can you not fight for it?”

Chapter 49

“You come with us—to Graysen’s estate, and then travel with the army. If you’re connected with the Cauldron, then we’ll need you close. Need you to tell us if it’s being wielded again.”Not quite a mission, but Nesta nodded all the same.

Chapter 52

“I was kidnapped,” Nesta answered coolly, not one flicker of fear in her eyes. “I was taken by the army invading these lands and turned against my will.”

“How,” Nolan echoed.

“There is a Cauldron—a weapon. It grants its owner power to … do such things. I was a test.” Nesta then launched into a sharp, short explanation of the queens, of Hybern, of why the wall had fallen.

Chapter 56

“No, Nesta only made sure that Elain was dozing in her tent, and then offered to help cut up linen for bandages.”

“Faint color had stained her cheeks from the sun, and her forearms, bare beneath the sleeves she’d rolled up, were flecked with mud. Cassian slowly sat on the log where she’d been perched a moment before, groaning softly—as if even that movement taxed him. “Icing it usually helps, but wrapping it will just lock it in place long enough for the sprain to repair itself—”

She reached for the basket of bandages she’d been preparing, then for the pitcher at her feet.

I was too tired to do anything other than watch as she washed his wrist, his hand, her own fingers gentle. Too tired to ask if she possessed the magic to heal it herself. Cassian seemed too weary to speak as well while she wrapped bandages around his wrist, only grunting to confirm if it was too tight or too loose, if it helped at all. But he watched her—didn’t take his eyes off her face, the brows bunched and lips pursed in concentration.

“I helped with the wounded long into the night, Mor and Nesta working alongside me”

Chapter 62

“Your sister came immediately when I explained what we needed,” Rhys said.

“Nesta stood before the map, a fist of bones and stones clenched over it.”

Her eyes shifted beneath their lids, as if scanning the world. “I don’t see anything.”

“Go deeper,” Amren urged. “Find that tether between you.”

A muscle twitched on Nesta’s brow. Her hand bobbed. Her breath then came fast and hard, her lips curling back as she panted through her teeth.

A small noise came out of her—one of terror.

“Where is it, girl,” Amren coaxed. “Open your hand. Let us see.”

Nesta’s fingers only clutched tighter, the whites of her knuckles as stark as the stones held within them.

Chapter 64

“Nesta had stolen something vital from the Cauldron. And in those moments Nesta had hunted it down for us … The Cauldron had learned what was vital to her.”

“We’d landed inside of them, thanks to Nesta’s specifics. With a perfect view of the city of soldiers that sprawled away into the night.”

Chapter 70

“Nesta had known. She gaped up at me, terror and agony on her face, then scanned the sky for Cassian, who flapped in place, as if torn between coming for us and charging back to the scattering Illyrian and Peregryn ranks. She’d known where that blast was about to hit.

Cassian had been right in the center of it.

Or would have been, if she hadn’t called him away.”

Chapter 71

“It’s gone quiet again,” Nesta breathed, letting Cassian haul her into a sitting position as he scanned her face. Devastation and rage lay in his own. Did he know? That she had screamed for him, knowing he’d come … That she’d done it to save him?”

Chapter 72

Nesta stared toward that armada, toward our father fighting in it. “Use me. As bait.”

I blinked at the same moment Cassian said, “No.”

Nesta ignored him. “The king is probably waiting beside that Cauldron. Even if you get there, you’ll have him to contend with. Draw him out. Draw him far away. To me.”

“How,” Rhys said softly.

“It goes both ways,” Nesta murmured, as if my mate’s words moments before had triggered the idea. “He doesn’t know how much I took. And if … if I make it seem like I’m about to use his power … He’ll come running. Just to kill me.”

Chapter 74

Nesta rushed to him, kneeling.

Not to comfort.

But to pick up his Illyrian blade.

Cassian tried to stop her as she stood. As Nesta lifted that sword before the King of Hybern.

She said nothing. Only held her ground.

Nesta jumped back, clipping his sword with her own, eyes flaring wide. The king lunged again, and Nesta again dodged and retreated through the trees.

Leading him away—away from Cassian.”

“Nesta turned over, and threw out a hand.

White, burning power shot out of her palm and slammed into his chest.

A ploy. To get him close. To lower his guard.

Her power sent him flying back, trees snapping under him. One after another after another.”

“And even the Cauldron seemed to pause in surprise—surprise or some … feeling as Nesta looked at the king with death twining around his hands, then down at Cassian.

And covered Cassian’s body with her own.”

I’m not even done but I’m too lazy to complete

[whatgaviiformes]

Fic: Grannies - Part 4 (Finale)

Summary: Gordon's committed to the bit. The bit just happens to be an obnoxious amount of granny squares.

A/N- In the finale: warning for a bit of whump. Whole lotta love though. Words for this part come to 2K.

Part 1 here | Part 2 here | Part 3 here | AO3

Thank yous: craftyfam, patient readers, my yarn stash for inspiration, Kat for the read through and assuring me this was post ready. FFXIV I can't thank you because you are a menace and a distraction no matter how much I love you.

*****

Part 4: Finale

Because Gordon never goes half-assed into anything, Virgil is still finding granny squares. 

He has to keep reminding himself that he appreciates Gordon’s dedication. He actually relies on this part of his brother’s character. Frequently, in fact. 

But as he pries a stray granny square out of his sock drawer and tosses it into the project basket housing its companions, Virgil has to roll his eyes. Fondly of course. In the project management world, they call this scope creep - with no real end in sight, the project keeps getting bigger and more involved, and it’s all too easy for it to just keep living on indefinitely. But then, Gordon is one big Scope Creep anyway since he was never one for boundaries in the first place. 

His definition of an appropriate time to stop was very different from Virgil’s. 

At this point, the new square isn’t anything Virgil hasn’t seen before. He knows by now what to expect from Gordon’s work. And, honestly, it’s just like Gordon to somehow manage to desensitize Virgil away from everything he knows about color theory, however briefly. So, neither the presence of the piece of fabric nor the color combination provides any shock value anymore. 

What it does do is remind him that he’s got his own project balancing to do. That of actually… you know… finishing the damn thing. And figuring out what to do with the rest of the squares, he reminds himself as he slides on his socks and laces up his boots for the day. 

The newest acquisition - two rounds of golden yellow followed by two rounds of aubergine purple and a final in white - doesn’t look as visually discordant alongside its peers, the scrambled rainbow they are.  They are all the ones that didn’t make the cut for Gordon’s afghan, the  squares Virgil keeps finding anew, and inevitably the future ones Gordon will continue to make until he receives another lightning strike of an idea.

Right beside it is a second project basket. Gordon likes a big blanket, so enough squares to fit a king sized bed are already packed up and labeled in their sequential order. As he’s had time, Virgil has started sewing them together based on the design Scott helped with. There’s enough space still for him to store the bolt of fabric John helped him find too, once it finally arrives. 

Virgil’s grateful for their help, and their part in the project has made it just that bit more special. He hopes Gordon feels that way too. It took Scott reminding him that it wasn’t his own aesthetic he was trying to please for the design to come together. Otherwise, Virgil has no doubt what he would’ve designed would’ve been lesser for his own misery trying to force order into chaos. 

Somehow, with the power of math, Scott’s perspective on patterns and probability and randomization had been just the ticket. Gordon also probably hadn’t realized just how many squares he’d made that started with the shade of yellow or orange or his typical bright shades. Just that little bit of consistency was all he and Scott needed to figure the rest out as they laid out the squares. It wasn’t a pattern, a fade, or even entirely randomized. But a couple edits later, they had the final layout, the squares numbered, and Virgil had gotten to work joining his own granny stitches into his brother’s work in the only color Gordon considered “neutral” - yellow. 

Unable to resist the smile it brings, Virgil tugs the blanket out of the basket and unfolds the two rows he’s finished, with the third halfway complete. It doesn’t bother him that his connecting yarn is still live - the hook has his last loop stabbed into the working skein, and even if it does come unraveled a little, crochet is not so difficult to start again. 

It had taken a few tries to find the right hook to help him match Gordon’s stitches. Even though Virgil taught him a few years ago, no two makers’ work was exactly alike. And Gordon was as carefree with his gauge as he was in the rest of his life. 

Excitement thrums through him; it’s morning, the birds are chirping, and he’s feeling motivated and productive. The crochet work is soft in his hands, the next square in the sequence visible in the project basket below but hiding the rest of the queue for the third row. It’s the perfect day to grab some coffee, hide away in his studio for a few hours, and let the project surprise him. 

That’s the way a WIP should work: it should inspire along the way. 

Virgil has just thrown a towel over the basket to make it seem like it could be laundry - just in case he runs into a wayward squid - when the alarm in his room sounds and John’s voice comes over comms. 

They have a rescue. 

~*~

Virgil awakes to the smell of antiseptic and the uncomfortable feeling that his mouth tastes like cotton. 

Something about that makes him want to giggle, except he can’t actually do that. 

“Easy, Virg.” Hands, soothing, graze his hairline. “They’ve got you on the good stuff.”

He can tell. He hasn’t opened his eyes yet to know if he’s in a hospital or the infirmary, nor does he know what happened to land him there.

Based on the cotton in his throat and in his head and in his lungs, maybe he ate Gordon’s blanket. 

The giggle turns into a groan. 

“You’re okay now. Rest, Virgil.” 

Since the voice is Scott, he does so.

~*~

The next time he remembers waking, he’s in the infirmary on the island. Again, this he knows not because he’s opened his eyes to figure it out, but because his senses tell him so. Only one brother knows sea shanties enough to be familiar with that one and, if Gordon is here humming it, they’re both definitely not in a hospital.

The words he wants to say trudge through the molasses on their way out.

“Wha’ happ’n?” 

“Virgil!” It’s surprise, and excitement, and relief all rolled into one, but Gordon has the good sense to keep his voice low once the original shock of him waking settles.  

Gordon knows the drill well, his voice barely above a whisper as he closes the blinds and scoops some ice chips into a cup. Virgil’s grateful for the gentle way he moves about the room; he can hear him shuffling around, dictating as he goes. By the time Gordon returns with the cup of blessed relief for the feeling in his esophagus, Virgil has managed to tearily blink his eyes half-open. 

Beneath his brother’s brushed fringe hides a bruise the size of a fist, purpling so harshly at his hairline that Virgil ignores the ice chip Gordon offers him in favor of reaching up to check the injury out for himself. Immediately, his body protests the movement, and Gordon urges him to lower his arm back to the support of the bed.

“Yeah, maybe don’t try that?” Gordon waves him off. “I’m fine. What do you remember?” 

Through the pain in his lower half and the color of Gordon’s face, the memories of the rescue come back clearer. Unfortunately, of all things, they’d been called out to a mudslide. He’d checked Gordon out in the field, he remembers. A panicked civilian with a wayward right hook while Gordon was calming his husband. The man had been incredibly apologetic, and Gordon assured him no harm was done, but Virgil pulled him off duty as a concussion risk and left him in Two with  Grandma talking to him.

Then, when Virgil went after a lifesign in a toppling two-story… 

“A house hit me.” 

“Well, more mud than house. You’re ok though. You were buried from the waist up. Had some compartment syndrome. Everything you’re feeling - or not - is temporary.”  

“You came to get me.” Virgil could argue that grounded meant grounded, that Gordon should never’ve gone after him in such dangerous conditions, that he’s the big brother and Gordon’s the little one and he should keep himself safe when he’s told to do so. But there’s a challenge in his little brother’s warm honey eyes already, and he remembers faintly words spoken in worry and fear, assurances that tighten in a coil around his heart.

“I did. There wasn’t anyone else.”  

He owes Gordon everything.

Virgil hums, “Thank you.”

Between the pain medication and water soothing the grittiness in his throat, he feels more aware by the minute and ready to try sitting up for a time. Gordon helps him settle a few pillows into position and raises the head of the infirmary bed to the appropriate level. He’s got to let Scott know he’s awake - and Grandma -  Gordon tells him. Before either of them decide to have scolded Squid for dinner. 

Virgil doesn’t have the energy to chuckle, but it does as he knows Gordon intended: leave him with a smile for the few moments Gordon needs to step away to communicate Virgil’s situation. 

His heart is music, his soul is color. Where sound is oversaturated with the wisps and hums of machinery tracking his vitals, his heartbeat in rhythm, color becomes his touchstone. Outside the window will be the cerulean of the sky and sea. Green, which he thinks in its most basic form because it’s every combination of the hue throughout the robust plant-life of their Island. Dandelion yellow - the sun and safety and Gordon’s baldric. 

Past the shut blinds, it’s all just a sliver. More prominently, there’s just white and infirmary clean grey.  He has to blink away the dullness, as he tears his gaze away from the window and finally musters the strength to glance at himself and especially at his lower half past the pain where Gordon promised his lack of feeling, muted through painkillers, was temporary. 

Color, so much of it that it’s blinding, greets him with the neon of signage amidst the Las Vegas cityscape and the celebration of the New York Pride parade they attend each year. The blanket draped across his lap is authentic Gordon through and through, in familiar squares assembled in a chaos true to their variety. No rhyme, no reason. 

So much care. 

“Grandma will be in shortly.” Gordon plops into the chair at his side, wiggling in the armchair to reacquire the work he’d placed on the seat cushion. He catches him looking, wide-eyed. “It’s not your project, promise. Though I did bring it in for you to work on when you’re feeling better. It’s over by the holoscreen whenever you want me to bring it over. You’ll be here for a bit healing, so I figured…” He shrugs, trailing off. 

“Gordon?” He slides his fingers between the stitches and curls them gratefully into soft, comforting colors. “What are you doing?” 

“I’m - uh -” Gordon flushes in dim light. “I’m weaving in my ends finally,” he admits, holding up the darning needle. “Sorry if you had another idea for the squares, but once I finished putting yours together, I realized we had enough still to donate some more blankets and those really should be finished.” Gordon weaves a red tail end back and forth between the strands the way Virgil taught him, and the way their mom taught Virgil. “I really did go a little overboard on granny squares didn’t I? I just figured it would be okay for me to help you along. So you could finish what you were working on. Was that ok?”

“More than.” 

It also tells him a significant amount about how serious his injuries were and how long he might have been out of commission, if Gordon’s found the time to finish as much as he has. The concern for what he’s put his family through spikes his heartbeat again, and his younger brother glances up to check on him, the monitors, back at him.

Virgil gives him a weary smile, tugging the blanket further up his chest. “I’m ok,” he assures him. “Thanks to you.” 

“Don’t do it again,” he admonishes, shaking his head.

Neither of them can promise the other, not in their line of work, and they both know it. 

The words go unspoken, but they are woven delicately in the strands of their gifts to each other. Virgil feels the care against his skin, in colors that chase away greys, and soft cotton that sifts fear and worry out through openwork patterning. And when Grandma finally makes her way in to check in on him, his heart is so full with the chance he’s been given, the support he’s always had by the people he cares for, that the love hits him with a wave of exhaustion. 

Into sleep he falls, deeply into dreamless rest by the time Grandma finishes her checks and  Gordon tucks him in with a thankful salute to the stars above.

The End

[writingmeraki]

WHAT DO WE THINK OF THE NEW THEME OMG!!!

[i-like-dredge-now]

I made another thing! Dredge ending spoilers, so watch out. Essentially just an au where the bad ending turns all humans into aberrations. That includes ya boy the Fisherman and the Collector (they’re conjoined by the shoulders and the leg). This is from the Fisherboys perspective. Warning for body horror and some guy snorting massive doses of copium.

Everything is fine…everything is fine…

Our hands are quaking. We can—I can barely hear myself think. It doesn’t hurt, but everything feels so wrong. All I have to do is try not to think about it. It’s like he isn’t even there…it’s like we’re still separate. Because we are! We have to be!

The air groans and whistles, carrying the thick smell of smoke and the sounds of faint screams. The sky burns red, the water mirroring its crimson intensity. The air is so hot, sweltering and thick, truly unbearable. We can’t survive for long. This is all our fault. I shouldn’t have listened to him. I should have never given him any ‘relics’. If he wanted relics he should have hired someone else!

Wait.

Are we in the Marrows?

It certainly looks similar. Despite the…growths and the generally red look the layout is fitting. And Greater Marrow, it’s in ruin. The lighthouse has taken the most of the damage, but the rest of the homes are still ablaze. Little Marrow is not much different.

However, Little Marrow is closer, and it is the first land that we would have set foot on in a while…should I wake him? I turn to his sleeping form, which I regret instantly. My eyes pull themselves down out of curiosity, inspecting our predicament against my will, yet I do not stop them.

His arm is joined into mine, our hands connected by the tendons. The side of his head is still scabbing, and mine is too. Our faces had been fused together, but it wasn’t pulling up any important veins, so I had cut us apart. It was painful and difficult, but it helps me feel like he’s not attached to me. His eyes…dammit, his eyes. He had pried them out at the sight of our—his dearest wife. Although she wasn’t much of any human anymore.

I tear my gaze away. I can’t be glossing over this disgusting mess. I’m going to fix it. I’m going to fix everything. Everything is fine.

I drag our bodies through the thick water before I pull us ashore. It’s what I expected, the houses in ruin and the bright red fires blazing endlessly. I turn, but a sign catches my eye…it’s a scrap of a hull, very similar to the hull of the travelling merchant’s boat. It reads “SAFE PLACE IN WOODS”.

I look up to the trees behind the village, burning quickly. Is it worth a shot? Well, anything’s worth it at this point…

Where was I? Nowhere! (Okay, I lied. I was busy being hyperfixated on the Magnus Archives ((the Vast forever)). I’m sorry, I’ll try to be more dredge but I can’t make any promises)

[ownedbythescribe]

Zhongli | In Beloved Stars

ıllı Synopsis: Longevity is a burden to carry for immortals. But one should not wallow in self-pity. We make mistakes as mortals do, but we all have the chance to repent and do something better. Our lives outlive those of humans, but we saw how they thrive to have a fulfilling life. Why can’t we be better in the future too?

ıllı Genre: Romance

ıllı Notes: Zhongli x Female Reader, Description of Archon War and Cataclysm

ıllı Part 1: Zhongli - In Beloved Memories

ıllı A/N: The sequel is out! I’m really surprised I got this one out. I’m not sure if I’m satisfied, but this felt nearer to the ideal sequel I had in mind. I hope you will enjoy it!

“Planning on playing house with the Geo Archon, (Y/N)?” The uncordial voice from behind asked, watching your solemn figure stare at the festivities that engulfed Liyue Harbor. The luminescent lights were too bright for your eyes, so you opted to observe from afar, away from humans and deities alike. Yet, this person would always know where you are.

“So, humor has not fully left you, I see. Does the Abyss Order need anything from the simple old me?” You sneered, disdain flashing in your eyes. The figure scoffed, materializing a set of scrolls familiar to those who encountered you.

“We made the necessary set-ups in Enkanomiya. The mechanism prior to Dainsleif’s interference was recovered. The next step relies on you.” Aether replied. It might not be overtly said, but his words were orders to get the next part of the job done immediately. There was no time to be wasted, not even on simple self-indulgence. You simply sighed, utilizing your power to transport the two of you back to your workshop.

It had nearly been five centuries since you met the Abyss Prince, and your encounter was not in any good circumstances. In fact, it was the time when civilizations crumbled, and Teyvat bathed in corruption. The amount of bloodshed and divine residues left in the desert were instilled in your mind. Bodies were strewn across Sumeru, tainting the sands and its waters dark red. The plants withered, and the forest creatures scampered away from the battlefield for safety. You were on the side that fought the Abyss until Aether came to you.

‘Your heart tells you that siding with Celestia brought nothing but pain, so why do you force yourself? Why still follow a destiny that will once again cycle to bring disaster?’ He whispered back then. Unconsciously, you touched the scar on your left arm. It was a reminder of that day, that you betrayed your friends and aided the Abyss.

The past cannot be changed, but there is still the present and the future that you could take reign of. Hence, you did not dare involve yourself further in their plan, at least not with the majority of it. Revenge could take a toll on anyone’s body and mind, even with satisfying results. Aether noticed your internal struggles throughout the years. He disliked your reluctance, but he could not let go of your potential that rivaled those of Khaenri’ah’s engineers. Not yet.

“Let me see the current status of that mechanism. I would also like for you to see this sealed crystal from before. It had been exuding an ominous aura that tampered with leylines and elements. I haven’t pried much, but I hope this would be of help. I’ll give you my thoughts in a few.” You voiced, focusing on the scrolls laid on your table. Aether sat down on another chair to read the research you made on the said crystal. It detailed the effects and sealing as well as how to reverse it. He would have to keep an eye on that until then.

You, on the other hand, saw the damage on the core. It would need immediate smoldering of the same material and elemental pressure to keep it stable. By adding a few touches to the layout, you finished your work. You rolled them away before glancing at the desk where metals and rocks were laying about. This would have been something you could enjoy centuries ago with Guizhong and Deshret, but they were swept away by the consequences of the bloodstained fate.

“Aether, how could you go strong against the tides of time? You never seemed to waver in the face of death. I’m no fool, you must have noticed already that my mind and body grew tired of such pursuit, yet yours strived through the pain.” You muttered enough for him to hear.

“I have a person to come home to. We promised to see each other again at the end of this journey.” He simply answered.

“I see.” The slight movement of your sleeves showed the bracelet the God of Dust had long worn. You gazed at it for a moment.

Home was a foreign thought to you who was constantly on the move. Aether did not mean a house or any structure at that, but more of a person. That individual became his reason to move forward, to gain freedom against what trapped them here.

‘Maybe it’s time that I should be honest too.’ You thought.

“I’m done. You can give tell the lectors and heralds to investigate this. Enjou should know where to get these materials. Also, I fear that I will not be able to join you in this fight anymore. I’ve grown weary, but I wish to see you succeed. Teyvat became an unwanted prison because of the deity’s fear of outside corruption. This world was supposedly a paradise, yet the wars and death made it feel like a colosseum where only the strongest ones survive.” You sadly mused. Aether took the scrolls out of your hands, sending it back using his power. His golden eyes stared at yours intently before he traced the scar on your left arm. It made you shudder.

“You never swore loyalty to me nor the Abyss, yet you were a companion who fought with me through time. I do not wish to let you go just yet, so, do one more job for me. Enjou will be your partner, and I will announce later your ‘withdrawal’ from the organization. Just know that from here on out, the Abyss Order will treat you like an enemy.” He firmly warned. You smiled and nodded, taking his hand away from you. Whatever relationship you had before was now coming to an end.

The Abyss Prince left your workshop shortly after, leaving specks of abyssal energy in your wake. Possibly, the last memory you will see of him was his broader back that seemed stronger than before. You wished things could have been different, but the current you wished to simply see life as it was truly meant to.

“Let’s take a short stroll by the Guili Plains, then. It might clear my mind up a little.”

Stepping out of your workshop, you inhaled the fresh scent of mountain winds. The crisp chill in the air made your arms shiver lightly, yet it brought vigor to your exhausted body. Walking towards your destination, you met a few elderlies who welcomed you, unaware that a divine being mingled with them. It reminded you of the past when you would pull your friends to join you and enjoy the festivities the humans hold every now and then.

Upon reaching Guili Plains, you stopped in your tracks to watch the view ahead. What was once a lively province bustling with humans was now a deserted ruin occasionally visited by elders and the Millelith. It might have been in a barren state now, but the tranquility over the area was welcoming. You sat by the meadow and let the wind caress your figure.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here, dear friend.” The familiar baritone echoed across your ears, causing you to whip your head in its direction. Gentle joy and relief were evident on his face while yours reflected surprise and longing. Standing up, you slowly reached a hand to his face.

“Morax, it is you. I am not dreaming.” You muttered while he nuzzled further into your hands.

“I am now called Zhongli, a simple mortal living a mundane life as a consultant. However, I am delighted to finally see you back in Liyue.” He said, taking your hand to sit again by the grass.

It was difficult to hide the joy that you felt at the moment. His presence alone chased the thoughts that threatened to occupy your mind and fester with negativity. Words easily escaped your lips as you asked questions about Liyue’s current status, including the reason why he chose to give up his gnosis. He remained tight-lipped about his dealings with the Cryo Archon, and you understood the secrecy. In return, you told him stories of your own journey, dodging the memories you spent in the Abyss Order. It was not yet the time for honesty, or maybe there will never be a time for one. This might become a secret you will carry to the grave.

Zhongli, who intently listened to your stories, found mirth in one of your quests in Sumeru with the Forest Rangers and musings in Mondstadt with a certain bard. He was happy to see you fulfill your dreams of exploring Teyvat to learn more about mechanics and engineering. He loved how the passion that silently burned before now blaze with iridescent colors.

Suddenly recalling the time of the day, he asked if you had seen the entirety of Liyue Harbor. You told him no, and it gave him the chance to invite you to explore the harbor and familiarize yourself with the place. Truth be told, you had only been there once with Ping’s help to find him and see how he was doing. Zhongli could see the hesitation in your eyes and was about to take it back when you turned to him with a small smile.

“I… It… would be lovely to see the harbor with you.” You hesitated, actions not unnoticed by the God of Contracts. He attributed it to your shy nature, but he had a gut feeling that it might have stemmed from something deeper. He trusted that you would tell him in time, but for now, he wished to show you the lives of the humans you loved.

The God of Contracts escorted you to the harbor, introducing you to vendors that littered the port. One merchant called you out and gave you free candies sunsettia to welcome you to the region. Warmth blossomed in your chest as you tasted the delicacy, enjoying its sweetness. You shared it with the god beside you, him opting to eat it from your hand, making you flustered. He simply smiled and led you to the center of the docks where a music battle was ongoing. The melody they created was unique and creative, and you were sure that Ping appreciated their creations more than anything.

Going up and passing over the bridge, he led you to a restaurant called Third Knockout. Celebratory food was sold, and the storyteller was enthusiastically retelling stories from old times. He led you to an empty table away from the crowd after sensing your discomfort. You appreciated his acts of service, but it also brought emotions you thought were long gone.

‘I still love him even after all these years. It seems like I really can’t let go that easily.’ You thought as you take a shrimp ball from the plate, the umami bursting in your mouth. Noticing the lack of seafood on the table, you could not help but tease the male.

“You still dislike seafood even after all these years. Hahaha! I’m glad that didn’t change.” You voiced. Zhongli coughed out his embarrassment.

“You know why I don’t like seafood. The slimy texture and the scent that won’t wash off remind me of bygone days when I had to exterminate them from the sea and shore. I could still recall how exhausting it was to visit houses door to door to seal those foul creatures for good, and yet, their descendants seemed to have survived and thrived as… seafood delicacy ingredients of today.” He groaned. You could not help but laugh at his misery. It was not often that the Geo Archon articulates his distaste for them, but when he did, the faces he made were a memory to keep.

After eating and paying for the food, you two went to Heyu Tea House to relax. The black tea they served immediately became your favorite. Zhongli recommended trying their osmanthus tea the next time you two visit. You nodded then watched the orchestra play below.

“Will you be settling in Liyue now?” He asked.

“Mm. Maybe I’ll reside in Wangshu Inn for the time being while I finish my new abode. I hope Xiao won’t mind.” You replied.

“Will it be all right if I visit you from time to time?” There was confusion evident on your face as to why he would need your permission to see you, but you gave him a positive answer instead. He smiled and continued sipping his tea.

It did not take long for you to know why he asked that question. Three days after you settled near Wangshu Inn, the funeral consultant would come to your house to bring gifts or simply enjoy tea or wine with you. He would even join you in your workshop when you worked on new mechanisms. It was hard not to let him know about your past with the abyss, and it felt like a sin trying to hide it from him. The guilt ate you from the inside, but you urged yourself to think that it was for the best. Aether possessed a twisted radical mind, and he was aware of the sacrifices to be made. You wished to believe that, or delusion, in this case, it was hard to tell.

On one clear day, Zhongli decided to visit you with a gift in hand. A bouquet of plum blossoms would be good decor for your new home. He also had a jade bracelet designed in your motif. It was supposedly a day to share with you two alone, but Childe and the Traveler (whom he dragged after their battle) let their curiosities get the best of them. Sighing, he hoped that you would not mind guests in your abode.

Zhongli knocked on your door, but there was no reply. He tried again until Childe went to the back and saw your figure by the waters. The sway in the wind and chimes that accompanied your movements mesmerized him, and he thought you were a fairy, like those in popular fables in Snezhnaya.

“You did not tell us that we will be meeting a fairy, Xiansheng. Can I take her back to Snezhnaya?” He joked, but it was shut down by the dark look on the Geo Archon’s face that faded the moment the music faded. The 11th Harbinger was stunned, and the Traveler had to nudge him back to reality.

“L-Lumine, he did not just glare at me, right!? You saw that look right!?” Childe fussed. Lumine pinched his left ear down.

“You should really know when to time your jokes. Come on, I think we startled her enough.” She pulled the ginger to where you and Zhongli were talking. He glanced back at them and introduced them to you. The familiar blond hair and eyes startled you. Lumine was much more beautiful than Aether described her to be.

“My name is (Y/N). It’s nice to meet you Lumine, Childe. Zhongli talked about you two a lot, and I’m glad that he had good companions to help him out, especially when handling Mora. I do apologize on his behalf if he spent more than he let on. He’s learning, I promise.” You gave them a wry smile. Zhongli wrinkled his forehead in confusion. Childe was willing to pay for him, so he just took advantage of it, and the products that he bought were truly valuable to be bought in bulk.

“I know what you’re thinking, and no, it’s crucial to live economically if you wish to have a debt-free life. Now, stop with the wrinkles. It doesn’t suit your beautiful face.” You soothed his forehead, unaware of how intimate your actions had been. Zhongli was perplexed while the other two whistled at the public display of affection.

You turned to them to ask if they wished to have lunch with you, only to see their teasing faces. It made you stop in your tracks and immediately get flustered.

“Umm, p-please don’t mind that. I-I’ll prepare a quick lunch right away. Please sit by the stone table over there.” You uttered, a little loud to your liking.

They watched you dash to your home. Childe could not help himself at how adorable it would be to tease you. Lumine, too, had a similar feeling. They turned to the Geo Archon who was already on his way to the table. They wished to ask how he was feeling, but the red tint on his ears was enough to say how he, too, was embarrassed by the skinship.

“Say, Xiansheng, are you courting this lady? You brought gifts, and I haven’t noticed you that much in Liyue Harbor anymore. Could it be that you’ve been coming here to visit her?” Childe prodded. Lumine sat down beside the ginger and also commented on how he seemed to become more animated around you.

“Your eyes light up more whenever she talks, and you looked darkly at Childe earlier after that comment. He’s bound to have nightmares later.” Lumine jested. Childe pouted and was about to complain, but she shut him up with a pinch to his thigh. Zhongli could feel a sigh escape his lips. He wished he could easily deny their words, but it would be like denying his love for you. The concept was not new to him, but experiencing it with you felt like a dream.

“Childe seemed to love saying unnecessary things nowadays. He should have learned by now how to read social cues.” He replied, sipping the tea (which materialized out of nowhere, not that you would know). The two gave him incredulous looks.

‘Look who’s calling the kettle black. He’s down bad, isn’t he?’ Before they could usher more information about you, the smell of food immediately wafted through the air. The sound of clinking plates caught Zhongli’s ears, and he stood up to help you out. You gave him a sheepish smile.

“Thank you. I only got to prepare your favorites because I thought you were coming alone. I hope your guests wouldn’t mind the lack of variety for lunch.” You voiced, unsure of your decisions for lunch. Zhongli smiled and placed a featherlight kiss on your head as assurance.

“They love any food, but we might have to prepare another cutlery for Childe. He’s not… adept with chopsticks even after I taught him several times already.” He teased. Your eyes widened at his badmouthing, opting to keep the laugh that threatened to escape you. Zhongli watched you try to hide your laugh, and he found it adorable.

The day was full of banter between Childe and Zhongli, mostly the ginger being bullied. Lumine, on the other hand, told you stories of her adventures particularly her quest in Inazuma. The news of the region’s borders closing was no secret to you. It was talked about a lot by travelers and adventurers that the place was branded a danger for a while by the majority. The lockdown and the Vision Hunt Decree instilled fear in the Electro Archon’s people. You could not even imagine how it was to fight an army to free the country. The blond traveler assured you that the Raiden Shogun had realized her wrongdoings and was now on the road to redemption. It will be difficult from here on out, you surmised.

“I assume the next place will be Sumeru? You will have to pass through the Chasm and meet with the Forest Rangers. They will guide you to Sumeru City. The Land of Wisdom might just be the place to get clues with regards to your journey.” You uttered, gazing at the waters before you. Lumine noticed the cryptic tone in your voice, and although she wanted to pry, she could feel that you wished for her to discover it on her own.

Lumine stood up and held your hand, thanking you for your hospitality. She informed Childe that they should return to the harbor now or Paimon will throw a tantrum. He groaned, not really wanting to walk a mile. It made you laugh, but out of consideration, you materialized a container that held refreshments.

“Take this and drink it along the way. Liyue Harbor is a bit far, and I truly appreciate the visit. Come by again if you wish to enjoy tea, will you?” You urged. The two nodded, then looked at Zhongli who turned to you. He held your hand and gave it a tender kiss.

‘T-This man! How scandalous can he get!?’ You flushed.

“Enjoy the rest of your day, (Y/N). We will be going now.” His eyes were twinkling with mirth as he saw the red tint coat on your cheeks. Only a flustered nod was his reply, but he was satisfied.

Once they were out of sight, you sat down exhausted. The Geo Archon’s affection suddenly confused you. Morax rarely showed affection to anyone publicly. The Anemo Archon even pointed out how expressionless and a blockhead he could be at times. Love was not a foreign concept to you, but its fullness was. You wished Zhongli would say how he truly felt about you. Was it all right to love him? To be with him?

‘Or am I just trying to hurt myself again by hoping?’

Days later, you received a letter from Zhongli when you were out with Ping and Cloud Retainer, who were kind enough to accompany you to trek up the mountains. When they noticed who it was from, they let out teasing looks and comments. You were flustered, denying that it was just an invitation to visit Nantianmen where Azdhaha slumbered.

Suddenly, Guizhong crossed your thoughts. You were once again filled with anxiety and fear to express affection to your friend’s lover, even when she had already passed. Ping noticed it and held your hand.

“She will be happy that you two are moving on. She’s not the type to harbor ill feelings, and— Aya, I wish I could tell you more, but Morax should be the one to say it. Trust in him, (Y/N), and we all want what’s best for you two.” You smiled at her words. Ping knew how to assure you every time, and you appreciate her for that.

You sent your reply, and two days later, here you were in Nantianmen. The vibrant color of the tree’s leaves was an astonishing sight, and the crisp smell of the wind calmed your senses. However, that tranquility was destroyed the moment you felt a dimension rift not far from you. Standing there was an electro abyss herald who was seething with rage.

“You insolent insect! His Highness was kind enough to let you serve the Order, and you dare give up for the sake of a peaceful life!? Have you forgotten the bloodshed, (Y/N)?” It sneered. You could feel the intense concentration of electro waiting to hit you.

“Aether knew my value, and he was no fool to see how exhausted I had been. My promise was kept, and this will be taken to my grave. He did warn me that not all of you will be in favor of such decision. I have never once forgotten the bloodshed, but I was also a part of those that caused blood to taint this land. I’ve come to repent here in silence.” You answered.

The abyss lector growled and pointed its hand towards you, firing bolts of electro. You dodged them successfully and rushed to attack him. Using the Dendro element, you forced the plants to restrain it in place and hit its jaw. The lector stumbled before imploding the electro field around him. It grazed your neck and left arm, making it bleed. You took out your weapon and hit its stomach, the lector growled and swiped at you. You docked down then rallied consecutive attacks on it.

“Insolent fool! The abyssal light will shine the truth on you!” It roared. The ridiculous phrase they utter started to irritate you. Suddenly, three bolts of electro chased after you. It scorched the land, wilting the flowers around. You tried to break down its shield, but dendro could only do so much.

“Shit.” One bolt curled around you and electrified your veins. A chilling scream escaped your lips, unable to conceal the pain. Feeling your knees weaken, your body buckled.

“You should have known better than to wish peace for this life, not when the Order has yet to gain their revenge. You were an utter fool, (Y/N).” It whispered. Suddenly, a stone spear hit the lector. It staggered away from you, and the electro bindings disappeared. Burnt marks were visible around you, and your heavy breathes signaled Zhongli of the damage you sustained.

“You are not welcome in this land. Get lost.” He ordered. The lector merely laughed and tried to attack him, but Zhongli had already prepared his shield to protect you. The sharp spears rained down on the enemy, hitting the vital parts. It groaned in pain, reduced to its knees.

The lector looked at you in warning. It voiced its anger at you for leaving the Order and wishing you no peace. There was a rift in the dimension, and the enemy was gone. Zhongli dematerialized his weapon and turned to you who was holding your wound. The Dendro energy was healing it slowly, but it was eating at your stamina.

“I do not wish to force you to be honest with me, (Y/N). Your judgment alone knows whether your actions are for Liyue’s safety or not.” He voiced, turning his back to you. The inkling he had back then finally clicked in his mind.

Your thoughts fumbled inside you, unsure of what you should say. You could feel your hands tremble in fear, and the way he turned his back intensified that emotion.

‘No… Please don’t go. Don’t leave just yet. I—‘

“Don’t go. Please.” You whimpered, unable to look at him anymore.

The Geo Archon stopped in his tracks, eyes widening at your pleas. The sound of your pitiful cry made him crouch down and wipe your tears. It was difficult to stop yourself from breaking down. You knew that it was because you did not want him to go and leave you alone for something you wanted to repent for.

“I… I can’t tell you everything, but I want you to know what really happened to me. Why I chose that road.” You explained your journey throughout the years, and how decapitating the memories of losing loved ones was to you. Zhongli held you closer to him, listening intently as you clutched his coat.

Once you were done, you looked at him for his reaction. You saw the disappointment in his eyes, and you felt perturbed. However, it was not because of you, but of himself. He let you go back then to your own devices, afraid that you will push him away. And now, you also carried innocent blood in your hands.

“Longevity is truly a burden to carry for immortals. But one should not wallow in self-pity. We make mistakes as mortals do, but we all have the chance to repent and do something better. Our lives outlive those of humans, but we saw how they thrive to have a fulfilling life. Why can’t we be better in the future too? You are not alone, (Y/N), no matter how much it feels that way. The people who cherish you, and who hold deep affection for you are here. I am here.” Zhongli said, wiping the tears from your eyes. He patted your head, comforting you in his own way. Your eyes watered at his sincere words.

“How do you always know the right words to say? You see right through everything I put up.” Zhongli smiled at your words, placing his forehead on you. His warmth calmed you down as you listened to his next words.

“I cherish you more than you know, Dear. I vie for your love even from before. So please, let me stand by your side this time. Let me protect you against the past that continues to hunt you. Be the stronghold that you can rely on to stand again and face the future bravely.” He pleaded. You moved away from his warmth and asked.

“How about Guizhong? Wasn’t she your lover?” Zhongli saw the unease in your figure, so he held your hand, intertwined it with his, and looked at you directly in the eyes.

“Of the past, yes. But we realized that love can be familial too. We both felt true love in our own time, not one that we realized sooner. Her with another, and mine with you. You became a special existence in my life. So this time, will you accept this sincerity of mine?” He asked. You nodded, whispering your answer to him. Zhongli’s lips curled up before leaving a featherlight kiss on your lips. It made you smile, heart finally at ease.

“I love you, now, tomorrow, and for thousands more to come.”

Tags: @no-regrets-just-confusion

Please do not copy or repost my stories, but notes and reblogs are always appreciated!

[ancientgreekyuri]

Waters of March

Summary: Dianthus invites Theseus and Asterius out for a picnic. Set earlier in their relationship.

Notes: Incredibly self indulgent... focused on Asterius' POV.

TWs: Alcohol makes an appearance towards the end (😱)

~ 2077 words. Titled after the song Waters of March, which has many versions both in English and in Spanish! I mostly listened to the cover by Simon & Garfunkel while writing this.

Asterius stood in the small herb garden that grew in front of Dianthus’ home. A mess of different spices, some he recognized from the various dishes she cooked for Theseus and himself: parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme… the red bulbs of Cretan saffron painted a vivid portrait in what was otherwise a sea of green. Through the window of her house he could see Dianthus in her kitchen, washing freshly picked vegetables. She always sang when attending to a chore, and always grew shy when she had an audience. But to hear her voice, sweet and smooth like honey, was always a treat. And so he listened, and waited for her to notice him. When she did finally spy him waiting outside, her song paused with a gasp. She peeked her head out, silently, then Asterius watched as she disappeared from view. It was only a few seconds later that he saw her bounding out the front door, and then into his arms. “Asterius! What are you doing here? Did you just want to come see me?” “I did,” Asterius admitted. “I wanted to visit you.” “How sweet of you..” with a mischievous grin she pressed her face to his chest, half burying herself in his fur. The way she smiled at him always warmed his heart, and today was no different. They stood together in peaceful silence, for a time. Asterius watched as her gaze pried away from him, over towards the misty blue skies of Elysium. She tilted her head, poked at the golden frame of her glasses, and hummed. “You know, Asterius, it was smart of you to wait out here. Doesn’t the weather feel especially nice today? It’s as if something is in the air… even the Lethe seems to shimmer so much more vibrantly than usual.” Asterius gave a gentle snort. “It doesn’t seem different to me,” he admitted. He didn’t have the same sense of poetry Theseus or Dianthus did. As such, he often didn’t know what either of them were talking about. There were times where he wished he was more elegant in that way, but such a skill would be wasted on him when he wasn’t much of a conversationalist to begin with.  “Asterius…!” Dianthus’ voice rang out, cutting through the cloud of his thoughts. She reached up to pat his cheek; a difficult task due to their height difference, but she managed.  “You simply have yet to experience this day to its fullest! It’s not enough to simply be idle, you have to have fun with it, too! And I know just the thing!” Without explanation, Dianthus gripped the bull’s hand, with the clear intention of dragging him off to who-knows-where. When Asterius did not wish to do something, he was easy to make himself akin to a brick wall. But the Lady Dianthus always had pleasurable plans, and this would surely be no different— and so he was content to be pulled around for now.

“My Lady Dianthus! Surely you are aware that I appreciate a good mystery every now and again… but won’t you please tell me what your plans are?!” Theseus pouted; he had been working on completing some documents for Lord Hades, but was promptly forced out of his noble bedroom and into the great outdoors. Asterius did not intervene, even while watching Dia half-coax, half-shove Theseus out of the house. “You have been dragging dear Asterius and I along for all this distance, and we’ve not understood for a moment what your intentions are!”

“You worry far too much!” Dianthus huffed in response. “Besides, we’re almost there.”

The layout of Elysium was strange and confusing; for those living within its vast fields, its gates would always lead to somewhere they wanted (or, if they’re unaware of their own desires, to somewhere they needed). But for those who did not belong to the realm, it was a veritable labyrinth. Dianthus, being the daughter of Elysium’s gardener, seemed privy to locations that others may find difficult to access.

The glade she’d brought them to seemed nearly untouched. Wild flowers grew abundant within it: Rock-roses blossomed low to the ground, dotting the plains with a soft pink. A smaller branch of the Lethe flowed throughout, shallow enough that pebbles could be clearly seen beneath its blue waters.

“Now that we’re here…” Dianthus reached beneath the pink fabric of her peplos, and pulled out a basket that she’d somehow hidden away. “It’s time we start setting up for our picnic!”

Theseus beamed, his eyes glittering at the reveal. “Oh~ho!! What a lovely idea, my lady!”

“I know!” Dianthus replied. “Theseus, I want you to help me set up. And Asterius, since you’re tall, you can pick some fruit for us!”

Asterius did not complain when Dianthus shoved a small basket into his arms (though he did grow slightly concerned when watching Theseus fumble with a quilt Dianthus had handed him; the king was elegant during battle and nowhere else).

Deciding it would be best to leave the king to his own devices for now, Asterius turned his gaze towards the fruit trees. Most carried figs, he noted. Some had grown overripe and fallen to the ground; the strange butterflies that fluttered through Elysium had settled upon them, idly drinking their sweet nectar. Careful as to not disturb them, Asterius reached for figs of his own. Theseus and himself liked them more than Dianthus, but she would not complain when presented with one, especially if it was cooked. He’d have to remember to suggest a fig cake to her when they returned home.

Once he’d picked enough fruit for three people, Asterius walked to the water that flowed through the glade. He first placed his basket into the stream, then sat beside it, allowing his feet to soak within the Lethe.

It was a small pleasure, to be certain, but there were few things he loved more than lounging in quiet tranquility… his sensitive ears picked up on the sound of Dia and Theseus fussing with one another as they prepared;they were certainly not yet ready for him to return. He chose, instead, to close his eyes.

Elysium’s breeze was gentle, and warmer than it had been recently. It was not always stagnant within the Blessed Fields. While the march of time was different here from how it was on the surface, the seasons did change. The summer nymphs who made their home within the fields would grow tired and rest, resulting in their autumnal cousins emerging from their slumber— the leaves of Elysium’s trees would turn red, and fall.

Dianthus had once told him that, were she full nymph and not half human, she would likely feel the same need to slow down and rest until the first coming of spring.Asterius found himself glad that Dianthus was merely half nymph, and not whole. Even if her rest had only been a short one, he would have missed her dearly.

“Asterius, the lady and I are ready for you! Come quickly!” Asterius turned, and saw Theseus jumping up and down in an attempt to grab his attention (despite the fact that he already had it). Taking his basket of fruit with him, he stood.

When he returned to his lovers, Dianthus quickly took the figs from him. She gave each a quick inspection; he must have done a good job, for Dianthus gave a well satisfied nod once she had finished.

“Asterius, thank you so much!”, she said. “You’re the sweetest bullman in the world, did you know that?”

“I did,” Asterius replied, deciding to leave the fact that he was the only bullman in the world unmentioned for now.

Dianthus placed the basket of fruit next to her, then rummaged through the items she’d brought: a few bottles of nectar, some different fancy jams, bread (freshly baked), cookies made with pressed flowers, small sandwiches, expensive cheeses, a jar filled with unrefined sugar, silverware…

Distracted by the sheer number of items Dianthus had somehow managed to pack away, Asterius jolted when a small plate was shoved into his hands. A cut fig sat beside a piece of toasted bread, which had already been slathered with his favourite jam (in this case, raspberry). He looked up to see both his lovers looking at him expectedly; when he was still newly within the Blessed Fields, they’d always wait for Asterius to eat first during their meals together, always curious about what he liked, and what he didn’t. Now, it’d simply become a habit. Asterius took the piece of bread from his plate, and took as small a bite as he could… (which in the end, wasn’t a small bite at all).

“It’s good,” he said, and both smiled at him.

No longer having any reason to wait, they started on their own plates (and fought, only slightly playfully, over who had the more intense sweet tooth.)

Watching them, Asterius couldn’t help but to smile as well.

Some time had passed since they decided to set up their picnic. No longer focused on food, Dianthus and Theseus had taken to chatting. Asterius would give his input only when he felt it necessary. They knew his quietness was not disinterest: he simply preferred listening to talking.

“ I almost forgot…I brought this!” Dianthus reached again into her basket, and pulled from it a bottle of ambrosia. The liquid within glittered as if it were truly made of gold. It was little more than honey and a bit of nymph magic, Dianthus had once explained, and yet it was a drink meant only for champions. “Theseus, I took it from your stash… sorry.”.

“It is perfectly fine, my lady! …Though I am curious when you found the time to sneak it away with everything else you’ve brought!”

“Oh! Don’t worry about it.” Ignoring Theseus’ pout, Dianthus handed him a glass. She tilted the bottle of ambrosia into his cup, and the honeyed liquid shimmered within it. She did the same for Asterius, though he was always served a larger portion in turn.

Ambrosia tasted slightly different for all who drank it: Theseus claimed that, for him, the flavour brought to mind the same sensation he felt when he was victorious after a rousing battle. For Dianthus, it tasted like the joy of springtime. The first time Asterius tasted it, he found it flavourless. These days… it always made him think of the people he cared for most. Something like the dandelion wine Theseus loved so much, or perhaps the grapes that Dianthus would crush to make juice with…

Lost in thought, he did not notice when Dia had reached over to place her hand over his own. So small, and yet any fear that he may accidentally harm her had long since dissipated. Ambrosia clung to her lips. Though she’d only just taken a sip, her cheeks were already becoming rosy.

“It’s nice to spend time together like this, isn’t it?”, she asked him.

“Yes, it is.”

Asterius gazed down at his cup, which was dwarfed in his large hands. He might have felt bothered by it some years ago— another reminder of how the world was not made for monsters such as him. But he thought of how it was those same hands which aided Theseus in battle now, and later could just as gently twirl his finger into one of Dianthus’ long dreads (a rare privilege; the lady typically did not enjoy having her hair touched). Asterius could not love these features of his in the same way they did… and yet… the fact that he was loved at all made him feel content with them all the same. It made his chest swell with the same warmth he felt when he entered Elysium for the first time, the freedom to exist in a world that was bright and new to him.

Before taking his first sip, he turned his snout upwards to gaze at the endless blue of Elysium’s sky. The clouds borne from the mist of the Lethe passed idly overhead, occasionally blotting out the light of Ixion. A strong breeze caused the grass beneath him to sway, and the petals of the realm’s wildflowers danced alongside it. And when Asterius brought his glass to his mouth, and drank,he found that the flavour was richer than it had ever been before.

[boyfhee]

didn't recognise you on tl for a sec but new layout is so prettyy !!! karina is my bias from aespa so I'll definitely be checking out ur blog just to look at her ong 🙏🙏🙏 how are you doing btw ^^ I hope you're doing well pretty cael <3

pri hello ^_^ omg karina is my bias too, besides winter, although i can't pick a bias because every day i cry over a new member TT rina is so unreal tho icb someone looks like her ... and i've been doing good !!! past few days have been a lil stressful but i'm going well and good. how about u ??

[billycorn]

Warmth (A one-shot about a young Grovyle and Hero in the Dark Future)

Clouds sat unmoving in a grey sky. Boulders hung frozen in the air. Trees stood in full bloom, waiting to birth fruit that would never come. Waves were raised high in the ocean, but could not crash. The sun didn't shine and the stars didn't burn in the night sky. It could've been weeks, or years, since the world fell into darkness. The only indicators of time passing were the collapse of society and the stubble growing on his chin. With each passing day he felt weaker.

In this time, when the only warmth to be found was in your own blood, and gentle company, he tickled the chin of the Treecko clinging to his shoulder.

Treecko chirruped appreciatively, stretching to expose more of his chin to the young man's gentle touch.

Smiling to himself, he pried the little lizard from his shoulder, placing him down. 'I'm going again, Treecko.'

'No!' Cried Treecko.

He scoffed; he often talked to himself and Treecko had begun to learn some of the words. Now, the lizard had a vocabulary to match it's young age.

'I'll be back as fast as I can, I promise.' His face hardened and he pointed at the ground. 'You stay here this time. It's not safe out there.'

Treecko gazed upon his surroundings for the thousandth time. A small cluster of trees with a ramshackle hut built between. Brambles were piled against the roof and walls, making the home look more like a giant thorn bush. Treecko had been upset when the young man implemented the disguise; the human had gotten countless scratches from the thorns. Eventually, Treecko nodded.

Satisfied, he smiled and rubbed the Treecko's head. 'Good boy. I'll be back soon.'

Treecko watched his friend's retreating form as it slowly disappeared over the dark horizon, then he scurried inside and began to play with the ball the young man had made him. One question burned through the young Treecko's mind, 'if it's not safe, why do you go?'

Treecko knew the answer, but that didn't make it easier. So, Treecko played with his ball and tried not to think about it.

Across the darklands, the young man's destination came into view. Since the planet's paralysis, food didn't grow. Any existing food stores were quickly ravaged and very little could still be found on the planet's surface. The only reliable spot to find food was in mystery dungeons, and even then it was always grimy, and almost worse than starving.

Mystery dungeons were strange places, with no logic to them. How the items appeared or the layout changed, the young man didn't know. Not that it mattered. As long as food kept appearing, he could survive another day, and he would survive. Provided, he didn't die first.

Aggresive Pokemon roamed mystery dungeons, competing for food and items, or having just deemed the dungeon their home. Unable to compete with their strength, he found himself relying on speed and agility to escape. His policy was to get in, get out, maximise items with no complications. It was a practical, yet unrealistic, plan.

He had returned to the dungeon and now strode through long, dark hallways. The grey floor looked as if it were made of clouds, but it crunched like dirt. Thick walls of red and purple stone lined the edge of the dungeon.

Exiting the hallway, he cautiously stepped into a room, his gaze settling on what looked like a purple stone. He checked the coast was clear and dashed forwards, arm outstretched for the grimy food.

An explosion rocked the room and he was sent careening backwards. He skidded across the ground, coming to a rough stop. His legs burned and itched with the feeling of grazed skin. A Mismagius hovered protectively over the food, and it's eyes glowed blue as it prepared another Shadow Ball.

He was lucky the first attack had missed him, but he wasn't out of the woods yet. Standing slowly, he held out his hands innocently and began to back out of the room.

Mismagius watched cautiously, and held it's attack, the ball hanging ominously before it. As he reached the corridor he'd entered from, Mismagius decided it didn't want to take any chances, and launched the attack.

Seeing the Shadow Ball fire, he dove into the corridor. He landed hard and covered his head, shards of debris raining down on him. Then, he was up and running, desperately fleeing for the next floor. Mismagius gave up the chase and devoured it's prize.

'Moving on,' he muttered, slowing his pace. He continued his meticulous dungeon crawl and came across the stairs without finding any more food.

Stumbling on the stairs, he rolled onto his back, suddenly finding himself lying on the next floor. From his position, he could see a Drifloon watching him, it's eyes wide.

Drifloon emitted a loud, high-pitched whine. The cry was answered a moment later as a Drifblim floated in.

Drifblim's gaze narrowed and it spun, a ghostly wind bursting out from it. The Ominous Wind filled the room, slicing his clothes and leaving countless cuts upon his bare skin.

Drifblim was blocking the only exit to the room and was already readying another attack. He curled into a ball and ushered a silent plea that Treecko would forgive him. Yet, the attack never came.

Opening his eyes, he watched as a Dusclops came charging into the room, barrelling into Drifblim.

The two creatures roared and he scurried to his feet. Staying low, he shuffled about, looking for an opening. Then, as Drifblim prepared an attack, Dusclops threw ghostly balls of fire at it.

The young man charged forwards, ducking the fireballs and racing from the room. Though, as he passed, his gaze met Dusclops' and it was as if the young man could feel Dusclop's emotions, it's pain, sorrow, grief.

Tearing his eyes away, the young man kept running. He couldn't take any chances. Treecko was counting on him to return.

As he went, he happened upon a piece of grimy food, which he eagerly buried in his pockets. A sudden wind and deep groan emanated from somewhere within the dungeon.

His eyes widening, the young man cast caution to the wind and sprinted through the dungeon. Skidding round corners, he dove past aggressive Pokemon, hurrying for the exit, but then it caught his eye.

A gleaming red apple sat in the corner of the room he'd entered. Beside it was a sleeping Sableye.

There was no choice, no contest. Even as the wind picked up and the groaning grew it louder, even as it felt like the dungeon's maw was opening, ready to devour him, the young man charged for the apple. He leapt past Sableye scooped up the fruit and barreled down the nearest exit.

The wind continued to hasten, and the noise became unbearable in his ears. Yet, his gaze lit upon the stairs and he felt hope spark within him.

Diving for the stairs, the young man suddenly found himself outside the dungeon, his unblemished prize safe in his grasp. His mouth watered at the sight of the apple. So, he reached into his pocket, pulled out the grimy food, and ate it quickly. His body was wracked with stinging pain as it's ill effects rapidly spread. Hopefully it would die down by the time he reached home.

Every step was agony, poison shooting through his body likes hundreds of glass shards. There was no ignoring it, so, when he eventually reached his ramshackle hut, he bit down upon his tongue.

The young man strode in, smiled at Treecko, and handed the little lizard his apple. Treecko looked at the fruit in wonder, then glanced suspiciously at his friend.

The young man smiled and sat, leaning against the wall. 'I found two, but I was so hungry I already ate mine. Go ahead!'

Needing no further prompting, Treecko tore voraciously into the apple relishing it's sweet juices.

Meanwhile, he only tasted the warm blood spewing from where he'd bitten too hard upon his tongue. Still, he smiled. All the pain in the world couldn't tempt him to ruin Treecko's happiness in any way.

Rather, when he found he could speak again, he told Treecko stories of days long past. Stories of heroes, and friends, and sunrises.